Bombay HC raps state for slowing rationalists' murder probe
The court suggested that there should be tracking of SIM and bank cards .
Mumbai: The Bombay high court has rapped the state for dragging its feet on the investigation in the murder of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar in August 2013 and CPI leader Govind Pansare in February 2015 after their families sought the investigation to be transferred to NIA monitoring by the court.
Though the court did not accede to the request, it directed the state CID to use modern technology to trace five identified absconding case accused/suspects, but are unable to nab as they had either changed their identity or shifted their residences.
The court suggested that there should be tracking of SIM and bank cards . It also urged the state to acquire new technologies to trace criminals.
A division bench of justices S C Dharmadhikari and Bharati Dangre while hearing the plea of the kin of Dabholkar and Pansare was informed of the progress of the investigation by the state CID in a sealed envelope.
Senior advocate Ashok Mundargi informed the court that while some new persons had been identified as accused the authorities were finding it difficult to nab them as the accused had changed their residential addresses and mobile numbers.
After hearing the submissions, the bench told the CID and the CBI that if they did not outsmart the accused and they went unpunished other criminals would be emboldened.
The bench also said that the agencies should not refrain from securing the assistance of experts and acquiring latest technology due to lack of funds.
“Do not shy away from getting the latest technology on the ground of lack of funds. You tell us what is required and we will pass orders ensuring that funds are allocated,” the bench said
When the bench suggested that the CBI and the state CID should seek the help of NIA, Singh said that they had already done that and the director of CBI was kept abreast of the progress of the investigation. The court directed both agencies to submit their respective reports on further progress made in the two cases by March 1.