Second Nithari case hearing inches to a close

Another case of a Nithari-victim— Aarti—came up for final arguments at a CBI Court at Ghaziabad, reports Peeyush Khandelwal.

Another case of a Nithari-victim— Aarti—came up for final arguments at a CBI Court at Ghaziabad on Monday.

HT Image

Aarti's family members in their recorded statements, as per the charge-sheet, have not named Moninder Singh Pandher so far. Even, the CBI has filed a charge-sheet only against Surendra Koli in this case (RC-10). Interestingly, the CBI counsels, the defence lawyers and the victim's lawyer admit of the division of victim families over Pandher's involvement, but offered not to be quoted about the reasons.

The next hearing in this case is on 14 March 2009, CBI counsel said.

The most interesting revelation came from Pandher's son, Karandeep. He hinted to HT, victim families were divided over his father's involvement. “The reason for the same cannot be judged. It’s shocking five families gave their statements against my father while others have not done anything so far. A majority do not agree to his involvement but he has been made a culprit for killings which he never did,” he said.