Bombay High Court pulls up CBI, SIT for shoddy probe in activists murder cases

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MUMBAI: Once again the Bombay High Court has expressed displeasure over the investigations carried out by the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) and Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing Dr Govind Pansare and Dr Narendra Dabholkar murder cases.

A division bench of justices SC Dharmadhikari and Dr Shalini Phansalkar Joshi said: “We are not impressed by the investigations. If you claim that your investigations are moving the right directions then why haven’t you (agencies) put on record the directions.”
The court made this observation after the probe agencies informed that it is yet to receive Independent opinion from the Central Forensic Laboratory over the ballistic report.

The court also directed that probe agencies should use modern technology and not be influenced by carrying out probe inside religious organisations or religious sects. Further, concern was also raised on the increasing untraceable cases in Maharashtra.

“Is there any lack of staff or infrastructure, if there is then you should boldly come forward and ask for the same. If that is not the reason then why are you not reaching a conclusion in the case, we want a logical end to these cases.”

The court also warned that if there is no strong headway in the case until the next day, it will not hesitate in parading the senior most officers of the agencies. “This (investigations) cannot go on endlessly, people have expectations from you various angles should be probed.”

The court has now directed the CBI and SIT to hold a meeting with the family members of the deceased and hear them out to get any clues on the investigations. Additional solicitor general Anil Singh agreed to meet the family members on Tuesday evening. He has now posted the matter for further hearing on June 23.

On May 9, 2014, the HC had transferred probe into Dabholkar murder case to the CBI. The main reason for transferring the case was that the court felt a need for a detailed probe. The two deceased were killed by unidentified shooters in separate incidents while they were taking their morning walk.