Even almost a year after the murder of Vidhu Jain, 11, who was burnt alive at Malerkotla last September 30, the case can’t go to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) because the Punjab government is yet to issue the required notification.
The bureau stated it in the Punjab and Haryana high court on Friday during the resumed hearing of the petition seeking the CBI inquiry. Considering the submission, the court adjourned the hearing to September 29, directing the state government to issue the notification for the handing over of the case.
“For the past one year, we are being fooled. The state government announced that it had transferred the case to the CBI; but today, we learn that it has not even issued the notification to initiate the process,” said Navneet Jain, father of the victim boy.
“Five Muslim youths poured kerosene on my son and burnt him alive,” said Vidhu’s mother, Aarti Jain. The daylight crime happened in a Malerkotla bylane when the child was on way back from school after handing over tiffin to his younger brother. He died at Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana. The first-information report (FIR) was registered at the city police station in Malerkotla.
After the police failed to solve the case, Aarti Jain pleaded in the high court that the state government be told to move it to the CBI. She alleged that the police had not investigated properly and the accused still roamed free. She accused members of the Malerkotla Civil Hospital staff of negligence leading to the boy’s death; and submitted that the `25-lakh compensation announced by the Punjab government for the family be given to the officers who could provide it with quick justice.
Family gets protection
Considering the prayer for protection in the wake of threat to petitioner Aarti Jain and her family, who have shifted to Ludhiana, the Punjab government has provided them with security. “The police are deployed 200 meters from our house and they have also given us guards,” said Navneet Jain.
After the police failed to solve the case, Aarti Jain pleaded in the high court that the state government be told to move it to the CBI. She alleged that the police had not investigated properly and the accused still roamed free. She accused members of the Malerkotla Civil Hospital staff of negligence leading to the boy’s death; and submitted that the `25-lakh compensation announced by the Punjab government for the family be given to the officers who could provide it with quick justice.
Family gets protection
Considering the prayer for protection in the wake of threat to petitioner Aarti Jain and her family, who have shifted to Ludhiana, the Punjab government has provided them with security. “The police are deployed 200 meters from our house and they have also given us guards,” said Navneet Jain.
The family is preparing to observe the first death anniversary of Vidhu by donating sewing machines to the families in need. “We have 15 applications for help,” said Navneet Jain, adding: “Until my son gets justice, I hope this little effort helps his soul rest in peace.”