deepak pace
DJ_DEE
Chandigarh December 18:
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) made a statement before the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the investigating agency would soon file an appeal seeking the cancellation of bail granted to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
The CBI also assured that it would try its best to complete the murder trial pending against the dera chief within nine months, as directed by the High Court in an earlier order. The statements were made during the resumed hearing of bail applications filed by co-accused Krishan Lal in the murder case of Ram Chander Chhattarpati.
The statements were made after Justice Ranjit Singh Randhawa had questioned the CBI as to why the investigating agency had not till date demanded the cancellation of bail of the dera chief. For the record, it’s been over a year since the dera chief was granted an anticipatory bail.
The counsel for Krishan Lal, former manager of the dera, sought bail on the ground that since the dera chief, who is the main accused in the case, has already been granted bail, Krishan Lal should also be released on bail. The counsel also questioned the veracity of the anonymous complaint after which a CBI inquiry was marked. Showing no conviction in the averments raised, the court, while discussing the clout of the dera chief, observed:
“Do you know the Punjab Police have not been able to investigate the robe case against the dera chief because he comes with 50,000 people. Do you expect an individual to stand up and make a complaint against him?” During the hearing of the bail applications, the counsel for Krishan Lal averred that the CBI was not able to gather evidence against Krishan Lal even after three years of registration of the case. He further submitted that the statement of Khatta Singh, a former driver of the dera chief and an eyewitness in the case, cannot be relied upon.
The counsel further alleged that a DSP of the CBI had used third-degree methods during the interrogation of some accused in the case. The counsel submitted that acting on the complaint of the accused, a lower court has also summoned the DSP and another police officer. Making it clear that his personal observation regarding the case would not affect the fate of the bail application of the accused, Justice Randhawa observed, “My feelings are immaterial.
My personal feelings may be anything, but the judicial order will be completely as per law.” The bail application was eventually withdrawn after CBI special public prosecutor Dr Anmol Rattan Sidhu submitted that there is substantial evidence against Krishan Lal.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) made a statement before the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the investigating agency would soon file an appeal seeking the cancellation of bail granted to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
The CBI also assured that it would try its best to complete the murder trial pending against the dera chief within nine months, as directed by the High Court in an earlier order. The statements were made during the resumed hearing of bail applications filed by co-accused Krishan Lal in the murder case of Ram Chander Chhattarpati.
The statements were made after Justice Ranjit Singh Randhawa had questioned the CBI as to why the investigating agency had not till date demanded the cancellation of bail of the dera chief. For the record, it’s been over a year since the dera chief was granted an anticipatory bail.
The counsel for Krishan Lal, former manager of the dera, sought bail on the ground that since the dera chief, who is the main accused in the case, has already been granted bail, Krishan Lal should also be released on bail. The counsel also questioned the veracity of the anonymous complaint after which a CBI inquiry was marked. Showing no conviction in the averments raised, the court, while discussing the clout of the dera chief, observed:
“Do you know the Punjab Police have not been able to investigate the robe case against the dera chief because he comes with 50,000 people. Do you expect an individual to stand up and make a complaint against him?” During the hearing of the bail applications, the counsel for Krishan Lal averred that the CBI was not able to gather evidence against Krishan Lal even after three years of registration of the case. He further submitted that the statement of Khatta Singh, a former driver of the dera chief and an eyewitness in the case, cannot be relied upon.
The counsel further alleged that a DSP of the CBI had used third-degree methods during the interrogation of some accused in the case. The counsel submitted that acting on the complaint of the accused, a lower court has also summoned the DSP and another police officer. Making it clear that his personal observation regarding the case would not affect the fate of the bail application of the accused, Justice Randhawa observed, “My feelings are immaterial.
My personal feelings may be anything, but the judicial order will be completely as per law.” The bail application was eventually withdrawn after CBI special public prosecutor Dr Anmol Rattan Sidhu submitted that there is substantial evidence against Krishan Lal.
