CBI quizzes SIT in Pradyuman murder

Sumedha Sharma

Tribune News Service

Gurugram, November 13

After the police getting panned for alleged negligence and haste in investigation into Pradyuman Thakur murder case, the CBI suspects that there is more than meets the eye.

Sources said four members of the special investigation team (SIT) probing the murder at Ryan International School in Gurugram were called for questioning today.

They were reportedly asked about missing and misinterpretation of evidence, which allowed a Class XI student to go scot free as key witness. The agency refused to officially confirm the development.

The SIT constituted to investigate the murder in September had arrested a school bus conductor with the murder weapon.

Its probe had fallen flat when the CBI apprehended its key witness, aClass XI student, for being the murderer of theClass II student.

“The way in which many pieces of evidence have been ignored or improperly judged is unusual for the police. We got major leads from CCTV footage. Why did they not see vital footage? How could the accused fool the investigators and come across asa cooperating witness?” said an investigator.

The sources pointed out that that eyebrows had been raised over a junior official registering thecase and being made the arresting official for the conductor though sucha heinous crime should have been recorded by the SHO concerned.

Besides the police, some local politicians had reportedly come under the scanner. The investigators continued to hold their cards close to the chest.

The sources said speculation about political help being given to allowthe accused escape thelaw so far was takenseriously. The agency would question some local politicians named in reports and rumours.

The CBI was also probing the theory of Pradyuman being a planned target,but refused to confirmany video showing the accused leading the victim to the washroom.

“We will not divulge anything before the court hearing on the bail plea of conductor Ashok Kumar. After that, we everything will be clear,” said RK Gaur, CBI PRO.

Conductor’s wife calls for detailed inquiry

• Bus conductor Ashok Kumar’s wife Mamta has demanded proper investigation into the framing of her husband and accused the school authorities of conspiracy. “We knew that he was innocent and pleaded for help, but nobody listened to us. We suspect that the school had hatched a conspiracy with the police to save its administration and make my husband the scapegoat. We want the CBI to probe this angle and my husband’s torture,” she said.

Record probe on camera: Shatrughan

Reacting to the botched investigation, BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha said on Monday that police interrogation in such cases must be recorded on camera to prevent “inhuman torture” of suspects. “It is high time that every interrogation in such cases by the police and the CBI is conducted with CCTV cameras to ensure that nobody is tortured or framed and there is no more fear of third-degree treatment,” he said.