CBI battles harassment plea

In response to a petition accusing the CBI director of harassing a Nithari victim’s family, the agency has defended itself in the SC, reports Bhadra Sinha.

In response to a petition accusing the CBI director of harassing a Nithari victim’s family, the agency has defended itself in the Supreme Court, saying the lawyer who filed the case is facing attempt to murder charges. CBI’s special branch is investigating the criminal case and is ready to file a final report before the court.

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Refuting charges levied against the CBI in Vandana Sarkar’s petition, SJM Gilani, CBI’s Superintendent of Police, stated in the affidavit: “It is necessary to state that the CBI has been investigating an attempt to murder case which was registered on August 17, 2006, much prior to the Nithari killing case came to the surface.”

Sarkar’s daughter, Pinki, was one of the victims in the Nithari killings. According to the CBI, Surinder Koli had abducted Pinki after which he raped and killed her in Noida.

Advocate BP Singh Dhakrey has filed Sarkar’s petition in the Supreme Court. Seeking a probe against CBI director for his alleged involvement in the murder of the petitioner’s husband, Dhakrey has also filed an application seeking protection for himself.

Accusing the advocate of filing a petition with “malafide intention” and “ulterior motives”, the CBI claimed Dhakrey had allegedly threatened witnesses and suspects in his case, discouraging them from joining the investigation.

“Dhakrey also approached the Delhi High Court, contending that polygraph test should not be conducted on him. The Court has been pleased to dismiss the petition,” stated the CBI affidavit.

Denying allegations of shielding the main accused in Nithari serial killing, Maninder Singh Pandher, the CBI said Dhakrey’s petition before the SC seeking quashing of the case was not entertained. On September 10, last year the Apex Court refused to interfere in the CBI investigation and said Dhakrey would raise objections when the final report is submitted by the agency.

Sarkar’s husband was found dead under mysterious circumstances in West Bengal's Murshidabad district on September 1, 2007, about nine days before his deposition before the Special CBI court in Noida.