The Babri Masjid demolition case is not the only one in which the courts have reddened the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over its investigation: the agency has failed to cross the hurdle of judicial scrutiny in several other high-profile cases. profile and politically sensitive.
Having earned the nickname “caged parrot” from the nation’s highest court, CBI is often criticized for shoddy investigations or weak prosecution tactics. The agency has a conviction rate of around 69% in its cases, but it is the high-profile cases where its work is often put to the test.
Also read: Babri Masjid demolition verdict: the 32 defendants were acquitted
HT takes a look at some cases in which CBI was suppressed in court
one. 2G scam: In December 2017, IWC special judge OP Saini acquitted former telecommunications minister A Raja and corporate heads Sanjay Chandra, Shahid Balwa and others in the case. Saini had pointed out that CBI had lost interest in the trial and had not presented any evidence against the defendants. The agency has challenged the ruling in the Delhi High Court, which recently ordered a fast-track trial.
SEE | Babri verdict: why lead attorney says verdict shows ‘CBI collusion’
two. Aarushi-Hemraj murders: In October 2017, while acquitting Rajesh and Nupur Talwar of the murders of their daughter Aarushi and her servant Hemraj (which took place in May 2008), the Allahabad high court raised questions about the agency’s credibility and stated that the evidence was tampered with and a witness planted by agency. CBI’s appeal against the sentence is pending in the Supreme Court.
3. Coal scam: In May 2013, the Supreme Court questioned the credibility of the IWC investigation into the case and called the agency a “caged parrot,” the harshest words ever used for the main anti-corruption investigative agency.
Also read: In a 2,300 page judgment, the court punches holes in the CBI evidence
Four. Assassination of Haren Pandya: In August 2011, the Gujarat high court acquitted the 12 people accused of the murder of the former state Interior Minister Haren Pandya (in 2003). In its ruling, the higher court had harshly criticized the IWC for its “failed” investigation. However, a Supreme Court bench headed by Judge (now retired) Arun Mishra overturned the decision and convicted nine people of the murder.
5. Bofors scam: In May 2005, the Delhi High Court dropped all charges against the three Hinduja brothers (SP Hinduja, GP Hinduja and PP Hinduja) and others in the case concerning the supply of 410 Bofors field howitzer guns in the 1980s, in which it is presumed that it was a bribe of 64 million rupees. The CBI challenged the order in 2018. The Supreme Court dismissed the agency’s request to reopen the investigation, citing the delay.
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