Kotkhai shame: HC gives CBI two weeks

Legal Correspondent

Shimla, August 17

The High Court today directed the CBI to ensure the completion of investigation within two weeks and file its report into the rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl in Kotkhai.

During the course of hearing, the counsel for the CBI filed an additional report and requested the court that the reports filed by it should not be made public and sought four weeks more for further investigation.

After perusing the report filed by the CBI, a Division Bench comprising acting Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Sandeep Sharma also made all police officials, who were investigating this case prior to the CBI, as respondents in this case. They include state SIT chief Inspector General of Police Zahoor Zaidi and listed the matter on August 18.

Making them party in this case, the court observed: “We are of the view that certain police officials, who conducted the investigation, need to be made party to know as to what transpired between July 6 and July 23.”

The court also directed the Superintendent of Police, CBI, who was present before the court, to file an additional affidavit, disclosing the basis on which the FIR came to be registered by it on July 22.

Directing him, the court observed: “It appears that pursuant to order passed by the court on July 19, no investigation took place till the CBI took over the matter. The fact of the matter being that with the registration of FIR and entrustment of record from the SIT, constituted by the state on July 23, the CBI has been investigating the matter thus far.”

The court expressed displeasure over the slow pace of investigation and observed the matter was handed over to the CBI for ensuring fair and impartial investigation in a speedy manner, and as far as time sought for further investigation was concerned, they were unable to fathom the request made by the counsel for the CBI. It had been investigating the matter for more then four weeks. As such, they directed the CBI to complete its investigation with in two weeks.

However, the court has acceded to the request of the CBI regarding the reports filed by it not to be made public by saying, “We are of the considered view that at this stage, reports should be not made public. This, as we feel, is warranted in public interest.”