Justice Sanghi had evidence, says minister

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 10

Haryana Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma today said the late Justice NK Sanghi had “personally” told him about the Murthal rapes after taking suo motu notice of reports appearing in the media. 

Briefing mediapersons on behalf of the CM after a Cabinet meeting here, he said, “The late Justice Sanghi was a dear friend of mine. He was from my village. He took suo motu notice of the Murthal gangrapes. Before leaving for Tirupati, he called me up from Jaipur and told me that he had vital evidence pertaining to the gangrapes and would take action on his return.”

Speaking to The Tribune, Sharma said: “The government is very serious on taking the issue to its logical end. An all-party meeting has been called on March 12 to decide on how to proceed on the matter. Justice Sanghi had told me that he had concrete proof and that he would discuss the matter with me on his return from Tirupati.” 

Justice Sanghi had on February 24 taken suo motu cognisance of the report ‘Women commuters ‘violated’ by highway goons" published by  The Tribune. He had said that  the incident needed to be probed by a “premier investigating agency”. After him, Justice Amit Rawal too had taken up the issue. The case pertaining to the suo motu notices by the High Court is listed for March 14.    

Health Minister Anil Vij said: “I have read the statement and it looks like an admittance. But I am yet to speak to the minister.” Sharma's statements have taken aback the head of the SIT probing the violence. “We are trying to contact the minister,” said  Rajshree Singh, DIG.