In a major verdict concluding a protracted legal saga, a Special CBI court in Panchkula has acquitted Haryana-cadre judicial officer Ravneet Garg of charges related to the murder of his wife, Geetanjali. The decision, delivered on Tuesday by Judge Rajeev Goyal, brings a formal end to the 13-year-old case, though the fundamental mystery surrounding the young woman's death remains unsolved.
The Court's Verdict and Prosecution's Failure
The Special CBI Judge, Rajeev Goyal, pronounced the exoneration after the prosecution failed to substantiate the allegations against Ravneet Garg in court. While the detailed court order is awaited, sources indicate that several crucial witnesses turned hostile during the trial, critically weakening the Central Bureau of Investigation's case. This development ultimately led to the court clearing the judicial officer of all murder charges.
A Timeline of the 2013 Tragedy and Investigation
The incident that sparked this long-drawn legal battle dates back to July 17, 2013. Geetanjali, then 28 years old, was discovered dead with multiple bullet injuries in a park within the high-security Police Lines complex in Gurgaon. At the time, her husband, Ravneet Garg, served as the Chief Judicial Magistrate. The couple were parents to two young daughters.
Initial investigation by the Haryana Police faced hurdles. Following persistent protests by Geetanjali's parents, the case was transferred to the CBI in 2016. The federal agency subsequently arrested Ravneet Garg, who was posted in Kaithal then, on September 7, 2016. The CBI filed a comprehensive chargesheet against him, alleging his involvement. Notably, Ravneet Garg's parents were also named in the police case at earlier stages.
Unanswered Questions and Life After the Tragedy
Despite the court's verdict, the central question of whether Geetanjali's death was a murder or a suicide remains officially unanswered. The acquittal closes the legal chapter but does not provide closure on the circumstances of her demise. In the years since the tragedy, the couple's two daughters, Ashima and Adiva, have been living with Ravneet Garg's parents in Chandigarh. The case highlights the complexities of judicial proceedings where witness testimony plays a pivotal role, and its conclusion leaves behind a persistent shadow of doubt and a family tragedy that unfolded over more than a decade.
