Allahabad HC to monitor CBI probe in Hathras case: SC
New Delhi: The CBI investigation in Hathras case, in which a Dalit woman was allegedly brutally raped and died of injuries, is to be monitored by the Allahabad High Court and the CRPF would provide security to the victim's family and witnesses in the case, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday.
The issue of transferring the trial out of Uttar Pradesh would be considered if the need arises in future, the Apex Court said, observing that all aspects of the matter are left open to be considered by the high court.
A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde noted in its verdict that the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court has taken note of Hathras incident and passed an order directing registration of suo motu petition.
From the order passed by the high court, it is noticed that the high court has adequately delved into the aspects relating to the case to secure fair investigation and has also secured the presence of the father, mother, brother and sister-in-law of the victim and appropriate orders are being passed, including securing reports from various quarters, said the bench, also comprising Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian.
In that circumstance, we do not find it necessary to divest the high court of the proceedings and take upon this court to monitor the proceedings/ investigation, the bench said in its 16-page judgment.
The court delivered the verdict on a batch of pleas which have raised concern regarding the incident and also the manner in which the victim was cremated.
The bench referred to the affidavit filed by the Uttar Pradesh government which gave details of security provided to the victim's family members and witnesses.
Having taken note of the contentions and having perused the affidavit filed on behalf of the state government we are convinced that steps have been taken by the state government to make adequate arrangement for security to the victim's family and witnesses, it said.
However, in a matter of the present nature it is necessary to address the normal perception and pessimism which cannot be said as being without justification, the bench said.
In that view, without casting any aspersions on the security personnel of the state police; in order to allay all apprehensions and only as a confidence-building measure, we find it appropriate to direct that the security to the victim's family and the witnesses shall be provided by the CRPF within a week from today, it said.
The bench noted that contentions were urged before it but the undisputed fact is that investigation has been entrusted by the state itself to the CBI on October 10.
