SC dismisses Achuthanandan’s plea for CBI probe in sex scandal

It asked the CPI(M) leader to approach the trial court with his grievances about investigation and a closure report filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).

“The Supreme Court won’t become party to political battles, where people have political vendetta and rivalries. If you have any grievance about the probe and the report filed by the SIT, you can raise it before magistrate and High Court,” a Bench, headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur and Justice DY Chandrachud, said.

Senior advocate KK Venugopal, appearing for Kerala government, said Achuthanandan’s plea was politically motivated. The Bench said a proper way or procedures needed to be followed, which could not be scuttled.

The Apex Court had in 2013 sought response from Kerala government and others on a plea of the veteran CPI(M) leader, seeking a CBI probe into the sex scandal, whose accusations first surfaced in 1997.

Achuthanandan had alleged that criminal justice has been subverted in a systematic manner in this case that could be rectified by only ordering an independent probe.