HC: Probe quota stir violence further if police inadequacies

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 22

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed magistrates across Haryana to order further probe in case of inadequacies in police investigations into reservation stir violence.

As the case on violence during the stir came up for resumed hearing this afternoon, the Bench of Justice SS Saron and Sneh Prashar also asked the magistrates to examine the status of investigations before submitting comprehensive reports by November 28, about a week before the next hearing in December 3.

Speaking for the Bench, Justice Saron asserted the illaqua magistrates would examine the status of the cases. “Wherever they found shortcomings in the investigation, they shall order further investigation and submit the report to the court before the adjourned date,” Justice Saron asserted in the open court.

The directions came after Additional Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta on the state’s behalf asserted that monitoring police investigation in each and every case registered in connection with the stir was virtually an impossible mission. He then suggested the magistrates could again examine the progress made by the police in its investigations into more than 2,000 FIRs and order further investigation in case something was found lacking.

The suggestion was initially opposed by amicus curiae or friend of the court Anupam Gupta as he construed it to be a strategy to keep the High Court out of the loop. Gupta agreed only after he was assured that the High Court would remain in picture throughout. The parties then agreed that the exercise of examining the progress in the investigations by the illaqua magistrates should be carried out again.

Mehta also told the court that investigation into three cases registered after attack on Finance Minister Captain Abhinimanyu’s residence had been referred to the CBI. Another case alleging arson and other offences registered at the instance of the Finance Minister’s brother would be referred to the CBI by Monday.

Appearing for the FM’s brother, senior advocate RS Rai said an assurance on handing over the probe to the premier investigation agency was given on the previous date of hearing as well.

A status report, filed on behalf of IGP (Law and Order) AS Chawla, claimed substantial progress in the investigation of cases registered during the reservation agitation. As on October 16, challans had been submitted before the trial court in 565 cases. A total of 3,698 accused were facing trial.