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The Apex Court of India posed a question related to the murder of CPI member Govind Pansare to the Central Bureau Investigation as well as the SIT. The Hon’ble bench comprising Justice SC Dharmadhikari and Justice BH Dangre asked the investigating team about whether they exclusively stuck to the evidence against the accused in the murder of Gauri Lankesh, and if no one else was involved. Furthermore, the court stated that the CBI must not leave an impression to the public that it lost interest in the murder case of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar.
After saying the statutory authorities to respond to the questions put forth, the Court found the questions significant because the Apex Court of India had previously asked the CBI if there is a nexus between killings of Narendra Dabholkar, Govind Pansare, MM Kalburgi and Gauri Lankesh. If such a nexus is present, the court may transfer all the investigations to one central agency. The High Court could not satisfy itself with the language used by the CBI in its report. The CBI report contained that investigations are still in progress, and necessary action would be initiated against the accused after collection of prosecutable evidence.
Referring to the court order dated November 22, the bench stated that approval or sanction to be obtained for taking further steps against these persons. The earlier CBI report mentioned the names of these persons which was taken on record by the court. All that was required was a formal approval to the investigating officer so that he may submit reports to his superior thereafter. Now the court is sceptical about whether there is any involvement of these persons. The Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh said the court that no impression as stated earlier herein was intended to be given. The investigation is in pursuance of collecting sufficient evidence to avoid jeopardizing the prosecution’s future position.
The lawyerrepresenting the petitioners—Pansare and Dabholkar informed the Pune Court that it granted bail to some accused—Amil Kale, Rajesh Bangera and Amit Digvekar because the CBI could not comply with the time limit, and even the CBI Prosecutor could not make his presence that day. Senior Advocate and Special Public Prosecutor PP AP Mundargi appeared on behalf of the State and made a submission regarding the probe of accused in the Gauri Lankesh murder case. The learned counsel emphasized that charge-sheeting process would be done within the prescribed time limit of 90 days.
The Hon’ble Bench also observed that the investigation team expressly stands exposed because of the inconsistencies in the report. The investigating team depended entirely on the evidence against the arrested accused in the murder of Gauri Lankesh. The court asked the CBI and SIT to explain how the accused are common and there is no involvement of others in this State in the next hearing.
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