The Supreme Court of India on Monday declined a petition filed by the children of slain rationalist Narendra Dabholkar, seeking to revive the Bombay High Court's monitoring of the investigation into their father's 2013 murder. The Court, comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Satish Chandra Sharma, observed that the High Court had already sufficiently monitored the probe and further intervention was unwarranted.
Background of the Case:
- Narendra Dabholkar, a renowned anti-superstition crusader, was shot dead in Pune in August 2013.
- Following a petition by an activist and later by Dabholkar's daughter Mukta, the Bombay High Court in 2014 transferred the investigation from the Pune police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and began monitoring its progress.
- In April 2023, the High Court, deeming the probe to have progressed significantly, declined to continue its monitoring, expressing confidence in the CBI's ability to handle the case independently.
Supreme Court's Reasoning:
- The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision, highlighting that continuous monitoring of criminal investigations by High Courts is not the norm and should not be subject to the whims of the parties involved.
- The bench acknowledged the High Court's substantial monitoring of the Dabholkar case for several years and expressed confidence in the CBI's capability to conduct the investigation effectively without external oversight.
- The Court dismissed the petition filed by Dabholkar's children, Mukta and Hameed, effectively ending the judicial monitoring of the CBI probe.
Implications of the Verdict:
- The Supreme Court's decision marks a significant development in the Dabholkar murder case, potentially paving the way for the CBI to conclude the investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice.
- While the Dabholkar family's plea for continued monitoring has been denied, the Court's emphasis on the CBI's competence underlines its expectation of a swift and thorough investigation.
- The verdict also reaffirms the principle of judicial restraint, emphasizing that High Courts should not routinely intervene in ongoing criminal investigations unless absolutely necessary.
However, the Dabholkar family's struggle for justice continues. They have expressed concerns about the lack of progress in identifying the mastermind behind the murder and have urged the CBI to intensify its efforts in this direction. The CBI, on its part, has assured the family of its commitment to a thorough investigation and bringing the culprits to book.
The Supreme Court's decision, while a setback for the Dabholkar family's immediate objective, could potentially expedite the investigation and ultimately lead to closure in this long-standing case. The focus now shifts to the CBI to deliver on its promise and ensure that justice is served for the slain rationalist and his family.
(With input from news agency language)
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