A Chandigarh court has delivered a significant ruling, rejecting the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) closure report in the high-profile 2017 murder case of Akanksh Sen. The victim was the grandson of the late Virbhadra Singh, a former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.
Court Orders Fresh Investigation
The court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Ravjot Kaur dismissed the CBI's final report, which had sought to close the case citing a lack of evidence. Instead, the magistrate has directed the investigative agency to conduct a fresh and thorough probe into the circumstances leading to Akanksh Sen's death. The court emphasized that there were several unanswered questions and procedural lapses in the initial investigation that warranted a new look.
The tragic incident occurred on the night of February 9, 2017, in upscale Sector 9 of Chandigarh. Akanksh Sen, then 27 years old, was allegedly dragged by a car and run over multiple times following a dispute. The prime accused in the case is Balraj Singh Randhawa, who was reportedly known to the victim.
Key Grounds for Rejection
The court's order highlighted specific shortcomings in the CBI's investigation. A major point of contention was the handling of the crime scene and forensic evidence. The magistrate noted that the site plan of the incident was prepared belatedly, only on March 7, 2017, nearly a month after the crime. This delay, the court observed, could have compromised the integrity of the evidence collected.
Furthermore, the court pointed out that the CBI failed to explain why certain scientific and forensic procedures were not followed during the initial stages of the probe. The order stated that these investigative lapses created gaps that the closure report did not adequately address, leaving room for doubt about the conclusions drawn by the agency.
A Long Legal Battle for Justice
The case has seen a complex legal journey. Initially investigated by the Chandigarh Police, it was transferred to the CBI in April 2017 following allegations of a biased probe and the influential backgrounds of the individuals involved. The CBI filed its closure report in 2021, which was challenged by the victim's family, who have been persistently seeking justice for Akanksh.
The court's latest decision is a direct result of this challenge. By rejecting the closure report, the judicial authority has acknowledged the family's grievances and the need for a more conclusive investigation. The order mandates the CBI to re-examine all aspects of the case, follow all necessary legal and scientific protocols, and file a new report.
The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for July 27, 2024, when the CBI is expected to provide an update on the progress of the fresh investigation. This ruling has reignited public interest in the case, which had remained dormant since the filing of the closure report three years ago.
The court's firm stance underscores the principle that closure reports must be based on irrefutable evidence and meticulous investigation, especially in cases involving serious charges like murder. For the family of Akanksh Sen, this ruling represents a renewed hope for accountability and justice after seven long years.
