CBI asked to file note on probe into Azad photo morphing case

Petitioner has alleged that CBI was trying to shield some powerful people

The Delhi High Court on Friday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation to file in a sealed cover its “self-contained note” on an inquiry into the alleged morphing of a photograph of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Union Minister of Minority Affairs Najma Heptulla.

The photo was published in an Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) publication in 2005 when Ms. Heptulla was heading the body.

In a status report submitted to the court, the CBI had informed that the allegation could not be substantiated for lack of sufficient evidence.

The CBI said the matter was sent to the department and witnesses were examined, but there was no sufficient incriminating admissible evidence for prosecution.

Justice Vibhu Bakhru passed the order for production of the note after petitioner Firoz Bakht Ahmed’s counsel opposed the CBI’s reply and alleged that the investigating agency was trying to shield some powerful people.

The court said the CBI should inform how it had arrived at the conclusion about lack of evidence and observed that it wanted to confirm that the procedure was in accordance with law.

Maulana Azad’s grandnephew Mr. Ahmed, in his writ petition, had contended that there was no response by the CBI on the July 5, 2006 order of the High Court asking it to complete the investigation into the matter.

The petitioner alleged that the photo, showing Ms. Heptulla seated with Maulana Azad — the country’s first Education Minister — after her graduation, was morphed as Ms. Heptulla had graduated in May 1958, three months after the Maulana’s death.

The 2005 publication, since withdrawn, was titled “Journey of a Legend: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad 1888-1958.”