CBI is likely to file a special leave petition in the former Gujarat Home Minister late Haren Pandya’s murder before the Supreme Court next week as Gujarat High Court had criticised it for “botched up” and “blinkered” probe while dropping murder charges against 12 accused.
Sources said the decision has been taken to file a SLP in the apex court next week.
The High Court on August 29 had dropped murder charges against the 12 accused in the killing of former minister Haren Pandya eight years ago.
While acquitting the 12 persons of the murder charges, the court upheld the trial court’s decision to convict them for criminal conspiracy, attempt to murder and offences under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Mr. Pandya, who was a former minister of state for home in a BJP government and was once close to Chief Minister Narendra Modi, was shot dead on March 26, 2003 in Ahmedabad when he was out for a morning walk. According to CBI, Mr. Pandya was murdered to avenge the 2002 communal riots.
Criticising the CBI, the court had observed, “What clearly stands out from the record of the present case is that the investigation in the case of murder of Haren Pandya has all throughout been botched up and blinkered and has left a lot to be desired.”
