No objection in transferring probe from SIT to ATS, Maha govt tells Bombay HC
India Today
The Maharashtra government on Monday told the Bombay High Court that it has no objection in transferring the investigation into the death of activist and CPI leader Govind Pansare to the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
The Maharashtra government on Monday told the Bombay High Court that it has no objection in transferring the investigation into the death of activist and CPI leader Govind Pansare from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
This was disclosed by special public prosecutor Ashok Mundargi before the bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Sharmila Deshmukh on Monday.
The bench, however, said that transferring the case would mean starting from scratch. "We believe that if a new team of the CID is appointed or even if the probe is transferred to the ATS, it would mean starting from point zero. Thus, we would suggest a few officers of the ATS could be made part of the existing SIT to probe the case further," Justice Dere suggested.
This was, however, opposed by Mundargi, who said that usually such a course is not allowed as the ATS and CID are two different agencies.
The bench sought to know what the state will achieve now with the new team. It further reiterated that the CID must consider its suggestion to include some ATS officers in the existing SIT to further probe the case.
Justice Dere said, "Mr Mundargi, this would serve the purpose. Please take instructions if officers from the ATS, especially those who probed the Nalasopara arms haul case in 2018, could be made part of the present SIT."
Advocate Abhay Nevagi appearing for Pansare’s family at this juncture said, “The crime took place in 2013 yet the trial in this case has not commenced. It may be noted that in similar crimes wherein the accused shot down rationalist Narendra Dabholkar, MM Kalburgi and journalist Gauri Lankesh, the trial has started.”