2. 2
mannerĀ inĀ whichĀ aĀ 19Ā yearsĀ oldĀ girlĀ hailingĀ fromĀ Hathras,
Uttar Ā Pradesh Ā is Ā alleged Ā to Ā have Ā been Ā raped, Ā brutally
assaulted; Ā due Ā to Ā which Ā she Ā lost Ā her Ā life Ā and Ā also Ā the
mannerĀ inĀ whichĀ sheĀ wasĀ cremated.Ā TheĀ WritĀ PetitionĀ (Crl)
No.296/2020Ā wasĀ initiallyĀ takenĀ onĀ boardĀ byĀ thisĀ CourtĀ and
noticeĀ wasĀ orderedĀ toĀ theĀ respondentsĀ returnableĀ inĀ aĀ week.
In Ā the Ā meanwhile, Ā the Ā remaining Ā petitions Ā and Ā the
applicationsĀ wereĀ filedĀ inĀ respectĀ ofĀ theĀ sameĀ incidentĀ to
seekĀ forĀ variedĀ reliefsĀ whichĀ areĀ allĀ ultimatelyĀ inĀ pursuitĀ ofĀ a
fairĀ investigationĀ andĀ bringĀ toĀ justiceĀ theĀ culprits.Ā Ā
2. TheĀ detailsĀ ofĀ theĀ otherĀ applicationsĀ andĀ writĀ petitions
areĀ asĀ follows:
Petition/Intervenin
g Applications
Applicant/Petitioner Prayers
Cr. M.P. No. 10597
of 2020
Ramu alias Ram Kumar Intervention Application
seeking indulgence of Court
for ordering CBI investigation
or formation of SIT to
investigate the matter under a
sitting or retired Justice of SC
or HC. Further, transfer of trial
to Delhi is prayed for.
I.A. No. 101799 of
2020
All India Women
Conference (NGO)
through its General
Secretary Ms. Kuljeet
Kaur
Prayer for impleadment as
necessary party in the array of
petitioners
Crl. M.P. No. 102148
of 2020
Citizens for Justice and
Peace through
Secretary
Seeking intervention and
directions for:
1. Transfer of the
investigation to CBI
2. Protection of witnesses
by central para military
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
3. 3
forces
3. Appointment of a retired
Judge of SC to
investigate the
circumstances which led
to the cremation of the
victim.
Crl. M.P. No. 105463
of 2020
Radhika Vemula & Ors. Praying for following
directions:
1. Transfer of all connected
cases of gang-rape and
death from U.P. to Delhi
Special Court
2. Constitution of SIT for
investigation into the
gang-rape and death
tragedy in order to avert
political interference
3. Restraining the
respondents from
conducting polygraph
test, narco-analysis or
brain mapping on the
victimās family
4. Protection to victimās
family and other
witnesses.
5. Directing respondents to
strictly implement SC &
ST (Prevention of
Atrocities) Act, 1989
I.A. No. 103488 of
2020
By Members of Delhi
High Court and
Supreme Court Bar
Association
Seeking orders for:
1. Constitution of SIT to
investigate the gang-
rape and murder case
under the Courtās own
monitoring
2. Providing adequate
protection to the
witnesses
3. Transfer of trial from U.P.
to SC/ST Special Court
in Delhi subject to
consent from the victimās
family
4. Appointment of a Senior
Advocate as special
prosecutor u/s 15 of the
SC/ST Act, 1989
I.A. No. 106081 of
2020
Satendra Kumar Application seeking
impleadment as respondent in
WP (Crl.) No. 296 of 2020 or
in the alternative seeking
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
4. 4
permission to intervene in the
said matter.
Diary No.
55441/2020, etc.
Letter petitions received
through E-Mail by
citizens
For Appropriate directions
being sought for by SC in the
gang-rape and murder case
D.No. 54893/2020,
etc.
Letter petitions received
through e-mail/by post
For Appropriate directions
being sought for by SC in the
gang-rape and murder case
IA No. 105728 of
2020
Applicant/Shobha
Gupta
Intervention Application
seeking permission to
intervene to make appropriate
submissions and suggestions
as the matter is of extreme
importance.
Crl MP No. 105362
of 2020
Applicant/Rashtriya
Dalit Bachao Andolan
Through its President
O.P Shukla and Others
ļ· Application for
Impleadment as he
himself belongs to the
SC community and
direction to R to ensure
dignified cremation of all
the victims of crime and
no discrimination to be
made toward SC, ST,
OBC
ļ· Direction for
investigation against the
officials who were
responsible for
cremation and illegal
detention of the family
members to be
monitored by this
Honāble Court.
Crl MP No. 105458
and 105460 of 2020
Applicant/Radhika
Vermula and Others
ļ· Application for
Impleadment for
upholding the rights of
the SC and ST
community and that of
society at large
ļ· seeking CBI and SIT
probe into the case as
the impartial
investigation was being
conducted by the UP
police.
Crl MP No. 105452
of 2020
Applicant/Munnoka
Samudaya
Samrakshana Munnani
through its President
Application for intervention
seeking an investigation in the
case against the accused and
into the alleged lapses in the
administration into the case.
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
5. 5
WP(Crl) No. 304 of
2020
Chandra Bhan Singh
vs State of UP and
Others
Connected: WP(Crl)
No. 308 of 2020
Sushma Motilal
Maurya vs State of
UP and Others
Petitioner/Chandra
Bhan Singh
Connected: Petitioner/
Sushma Motilal Maurya
Prayer for;
1. Mandamus for
investigation of the role
of R3-R7 for mishandling
of body of the victim
2. Direction to the
Investigating agency to
get statement of the
Mother, father and
brother of the victim
before the magistrate
and if the allegation
made by the family are
true to register FIR
against the guilty.
Connected: Direction to take
cognizance, constitution of the
HC monitored Investigation,
inquiry and suspension of the
erring police, medical etc
trying to manipulate the
evidence, charges to be
framed against police who
were responsible for
cremation of the Victim.
WP (Crl) No. 314 of
2020 Public mail
through its publisher
vs Union of India
and Others
Petitioner/ Public mail
through its publisher
Praying for following
directions:
1. Mandamus to R to fix
the responsibilities of the
Police officials who burnt
the girl in midnight and
to punish them
2. Transfer the case to
Delhi from Hathras
3. Direction to R to make
special forum or frame
guidelines for such rape
in future.
WP (Crl) No. 316 of
2020 Chetan
Janardhan Kamble
Vs Union of India
and Others
Petitioner/ Chetan
Janardhan Kamble
Petition seeking direction to:
1. Register offence u/s
166-A, 193 ,201, 202,
203, 212, 217,153A and
339 of the IPC and 3(2)
and 4 of the SC and ST
Act 1989 against Govt
officials involved in
destruction of evidence
2. Investigation by Special
Task Force (excluding
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
6. 6
CBI and UP police
3. Deposit all the evidence
including videos
collected at the
Safdarjung hospital for
examination by
independent forensic lab
4. Direction granting
protection by CRPF to
the witnesses and
members of the family of
victim pending
investigation.
3. ForĀ aĀ briefĀ narrationĀ shornĀ ofĀ unnecessaryĀ detailsĀ and
toĀ noteĀ theĀ natureĀ ofĀ theĀ reliefĀ sought,Ā theĀ petitionĀ inĀ W.P.
(Crl.) Ā No.296/2020 Ā is Ā referred. Ā In Ā the Ā Writ Ā Petition Ā filed
underĀ ArticleĀ 32Ā ofĀ theĀ ConstitutionĀ ofĀ IndiaĀ theĀ petitioners
are Ā praying Ā that Ā the Ā Union Ā of Ā India Ā and Ā concerned
authoritiesĀ beĀ orderedĀ toĀ conductĀ aĀ fairĀ investigation;Ā ifĀ need
arise Ā by Ā transferring Ā the Ā case Ā to Ā the Ā Central Ā Bureau Ā of
InvestigationĀ (āCBIāĀ forĀ short)Ā orĀ SITĀ beĀ formedĀ toĀ investigate
the Ā matter. Ā It Ā is Ā also Ā prayed Ā that Ā a Ā sitting Ā or Ā retired
SupremeĀ CourtĀ JudgeĀ orĀ HighĀ CourtĀ JudgeĀ beĀ appointedĀ to
lookĀ intoĀ theĀ matter.Ā TheĀ petitionersĀ haveĀ furtherĀ prayed
thatĀ theĀ caseĀ beĀ transferredĀ fromĀ Hathras,Ā UttarĀ PradeshĀ to
Delhi.Ā
4. The Ā case Ā as Ā put Ā forth Ā is Ā that Ā a Ā 19ĀyearĀold Ā girl,
residentĀ ofĀ HathrasĀ villageĀ inĀ UttarĀ PradeshĀ wasĀ brutally
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
7. 7
gangĀraped. Ā The Ā manner Ā in Ā which Ā she Ā was Ā assaulted Ā is
referred Ā to Ā in Ā the Ā petition. Ā Though Ā she Ā was Ā shifted Ā to
SafdarjungĀ HospitalĀ inĀ Delhi,Ā sheĀ breathedĀ herĀ lastĀ andĀ she
was Ā cremated Ā in Ā the Ā middle Ā of Ā the Ā night Ā without Ā the
presenceĀ ofĀ herĀ familyĀ members.Ā ConsideringĀ theĀ mannerĀ in
whichĀ theĀ entireĀ incidentĀ hadĀ takenĀ place,Ā theĀ petitioners
contendedĀ thatĀ aĀ fairĀ investigationĀ wouldĀ beĀ possibleĀ onlyĀ if
theĀ matterĀ isĀ entrustedĀ toĀ anĀ independentĀ agency.Ā
5. The Ā pleadings Ā in Ā the Ā other Ā writ Ā petitions Ā and Ā the
interventionĀ applicationsĀ areĀ relatingĀ toĀ theĀ sameĀ incident
though Ā different Ā reliefs Ā have Ā been Ā sought, Ā which Ā in Ā any
eventĀ isĀ toĀ secureĀ fairĀ investigationĀ andĀ punishĀ theĀ guiltyĀ in
accordanceĀ withĀ law.Ā
6. AtĀ theĀ outset,Ā whenĀ theĀ firstĀ ofĀ theĀ petitionĀ wasĀ taken
upĀ byĀ thisĀ CourtĀ onĀ 16.10.2020,Ā Mr.Ā TusharĀ Mehta,Ā learned
Solicitor Ā General Ā had Ā fairly Ā submitted Ā that Ā the Ā instant
petitionĀ wouldĀ notĀ beĀ consideredĀ asĀ anĀ adversarialĀ litigation
and Ā the Ā respondents Ā are Ā also Ā interested Ā that Ā a Ā fair
investigationĀ beĀ conductedĀ andĀ theĀ offendersĀ beĀ broughtĀ to
book.Ā AtĀ thatĀ stage,Ā itĀ wasĀ noticedĀ thatĀ theĀ AllahabadĀ High
Court,Ā LucknowĀ BenchĀ havingĀ takenĀ noteĀ ofĀ theĀ incident
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
8. 8
hadĀ passedĀ aĀ detailedĀ orderĀ datedĀ 01.10.2020Ā andĀ ordered
registration Ā of Ā the Ā suo Ā motoĀ petition Ā being
PIL(C)No.16150/2020.Ā InĀ thatĀ circumstanceĀ thisĀ CourtĀ was
ofĀ the Ā primaĀ facieĀ viewĀ thatĀ theĀ petitionsĀ filedĀ beforeĀ this
Court Ā need Ā not Ā be Ā entertained Ā at Ā this Ā stage Ā since Ā the
jurisdictionalĀ HighĀ CourtĀ wasĀ seizedĀ ofĀ theĀ matter.Ā However,
Ms.Ā IndiraĀ Jaising,Ā learnedĀ SeniorĀ CounselĀ whileĀ intervening
onĀ behalfĀ ofĀ theĀ interveningĀ advocatesĀ hadĀ raisedĀ concern
withĀ regardĀ toĀ theĀ adequateĀ protectionĀ beingĀ providedĀ toĀ the
victimāsĀ familyĀ membersĀ andĀ theĀ witnesses.Ā HavingĀ found
thatĀ suchĀ concernĀ raisedĀ needsĀ toĀ beĀ addressed,Ā theĀ learned
SolicitorĀ GeneralĀ wasĀ requestedĀ toĀ secureĀ instructionsĀ on
theseĀ aspectsĀ andĀ fileĀ anĀ appropriateĀ affidavit.Ā
7. PursuantĀ thereto,Ā anĀ affidavitĀ datedĀ 14.10.2020Ā sworn
to Ā by Ā the Ā Special Ā Secretary, Ā Home Ā Department, Ā Uttar
PradeshĀ isĀ filed,Ā whereinĀ theĀ detailsĀ ofĀ theĀ securityĀ provided
isĀ indicated.Ā InĀ thatĀ regardĀ itĀ isĀ statedĀ thatĀ theĀ parents,Ā two
brothers,Ā oneĀ sisterĀinĀlawĀ andĀ grandmotherĀ ofĀ theĀ victim
whoĀ areĀ residingĀ atĀ villageĀ Chandpa,Ā DistrictĀ Hathras,Ā Uttar
PradeshĀ haveĀ beenĀ providedĀ protectionĀ underĀ aĀ threeĀfold
protection Ā mechanism Ā through Ā (a) Ā Armed Ā Constabulary
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
9. 9
Component,Ā (b)Ā CivilĀ PoliceĀ ComponentĀ andĀ (c)Ā Installation
of Ā CCTV Ā cameras/lights. Ā The Ā details Ā of Ā each Ā of Ā the
componentĀ isĀ alsoĀ statedĀ inĀ theĀ affidavitĀ andĀ itĀ isĀ further
stated Ā that Ā the Ā Inspector Ā (InĀcharge) Ā of Ā Police Ā Station
ChandpaĀ hasĀ beenĀ madeĀ InĀchargeĀ ofĀ theĀ aforesaidĀ entire
arrangementĀ toĀ deployĀ suitableĀ policeĀ forceĀ forĀ theĀ same.
The Ā Circle Ā Officer, Ā Sadabad Ā is Ā to Ā ensure Ā robust Ā security
arrangementĀ byĀ holdingĀ regularĀ clearĀ briefingsĀ toĀ theĀ police
forceĀ andĀ toĀ informĀ theĀ familyĀ membersĀ aboutĀ theĀ security
arrangementsĀ providedĀ toĀ them.Ā TheĀ affidavitĀ also Ā states
thatĀ onĀ enquiryĀ fromĀ theĀ familyĀ membersĀ ofĀ theĀ victimĀ itĀ is
learntĀ thatĀ theyĀ haveĀ engagedĀ Ms.Ā SeemaĀ KushwahaĀ and
Mr.Ā RajĀ Ratan,Ā AdvocatesĀ onĀ behalfĀ ofĀ theĀ familyĀ asĀ their
privateĀ advocates.Ā
8. TheĀ affidavitĀ alsoĀ indicatesĀ thatĀ theĀ investigationĀ by
theĀ CBIĀ wouldĀ beĀ conductedĀ underĀ theĀ supervisionĀ ofĀ the
CourtĀ inĀ aĀ timeĀ boundĀ manner.Ā TheĀ DirectorĀ GeneralĀ of
Police,Ā State Ā of Ā Uttar Ā Pradesh Ā has Ā also Ā filedĀ an Ā affidavit
indicating Ā that Ā the Ā State Ā Government Ā itself Ā has Ā sought
investigation Ā by Ā the Ā CBI Ā to Ā be Ā conducted Ā under Ā the
supervision Ā of Ā the Ā Court Ā and Ā on Ā 10.10.2020 Ā the Ā CBI
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
10. 10
accepted Ā the Ā request Ā of Ā the Ā State Ā and Ā has Ā started
investigationĀ inĀ respectĀ ofĀ theĀ crime,Ā onĀ 11.10.2020.Ā The
orders Ā dated Ā 01.10.2020 Ā and Ā 12.10.2020 Ā passed Ā by Ā the
High Ā Court Ā and Ā the Ā fact Ā that Ā the Ā High Ā Court Ā has Ā been
apprisedĀ thatĀ theĀ investigationĀ byĀ theĀ CBIĀ wasĀ inĀ progressĀ is
statedĀ therein.Ā
9. In Ā addition Ā to Ā hearing Ā Mr. Ā Tushar Ā Mehta, Ā learned
SolicitorĀ GeneralĀ whoĀ appearedĀ forĀ theĀ State,Ā Mr.Ā Harish
Salve, Ā learned Ā Senior Ā Counsel Ā for Ā DGP Ā and Ā Smt. Ā Seema
KushwahaĀ onĀ behalfĀ ofĀ theĀ familyĀ membersĀ ofĀ theĀ victimĀ as
alsoĀ theĀ otherĀ learnedĀ counselĀ leadĀ byĀ Ms.Ā IndiraĀ Jaising,
Mr. Ā Colin Ā Gonsalves, Ā learned Ā Senior Ā CounselĀ who Ā raised
concernĀ onĀ behalfĀ ofĀ theĀ victimāsĀ familyĀ inĀ theĀ variousĀ writ
petitions Ā and Ā applications, Ā we Ā have Ā taken Ā note Ā of Ā the
submissionĀ madeĀ byĀ Mr.Ā SidharthĀ Luthra,Ā learnedĀ senior
counselĀ whoĀ soughtĀ toĀ appearĀ onĀ behalfĀ ofĀ theĀ accusedĀ to
contendĀ thatĀ theĀ legalĀ rightĀ availableĀ toĀ theĀ accusedĀ ought
notĀ toĀ beĀ ignoredĀ inĀ theĀ process.Ā
10. Though Ā various Ā contentions Ā were Ā urged, Ā the
undisputedĀ factĀ isĀ thatĀ theĀ investigationĀ hasĀ inĀ factĀ been
entrusted Ā by Ā the Ā State Ā Government Ā itself Ā to Ā the Ā CBI Ā on
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
11. 11
10.10.2020Ā andĀ theĀ CBIĀ hasĀ startedĀ investigationĀ inĀ respect
ofĀ theĀ crimeĀ onĀ 11.10.2020.Ā Therefore,Ā theĀ apprehensions
expressedĀ byĀ theĀ petitioners/applicantsĀ thatĀ thereĀ wouldĀ be
no Ā proper Ā investigation Ā if Ā the Ā Uttar Ā Pradesh Ā Police
conducted Ā the Ā same Ā would Ā not Ā remain Ā open Ā for
considerationĀ atĀ thisĀ stageĀ andĀ theĀ grievanceĀ toĀ thatĀ extent
standsĀ redressed.Ā ThoughĀ theĀ petitionersĀ hadĀ soughtĀ and
the Ā respondentĀState Ā also Ā through Ā their Ā affidavit Ā had
indicatedĀ thatĀ thisĀ CourtĀ canĀ monitorĀ theĀ same,Ā asĀ already
referred Ā to Ā above, Ā a Ā PIL(C)No.16150/2020 Ā has Ā been
registeredĀ inĀ theĀ AllahabadĀ HighĀ Court,Ā LucknowĀ Bench,
suoĀ motoĀ pursuantĀ toĀ itsĀ orderĀ datedĀ 01.10.2020.Ā FromĀ the
orderĀ passedĀ byĀ theĀ HighĀ CourtĀ itĀ isĀ noticedĀ thatĀ theĀ High
CourtĀ hasĀ adequatelyĀ delvedĀ intoĀ theĀ aspectsĀ relatingĀ toĀ the
caseĀ toĀ secureĀ fairĀ investigationĀ andĀ hasĀ alsoĀ securedĀ the
presenceĀ ofĀ theĀ father,Ā mother,Ā brotherĀ andĀ sisterĀinĀlawĀ of
the Ā victim Ā and Ā appropriate Ā orders Ā are Ā being Ā passed,
includingĀ securingĀ reportsĀ fromĀ variousĀ quarters.Ā InĀ that
circumstance,Ā weĀ doĀ notĀ findĀ itĀ necessaryĀ toĀ divestĀ theĀ High
Court Ā of Ā the Ā proceedings Ā and Ā take Ā upon Ā this Ā Court Ā to
monitor Ā the Ā proceedings/investigation. Ā That Ā apart, Ā the
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
12. 12
incidentĀ havingĀ occurredĀ withinĀ theĀ jurisdictionĀ ofĀ thatĀ High
Court Ā and Ā all Ā particulars Ā being Ā available, Ā it Ā would Ā be
appropriateĀ forĀ theĀ HighĀ CourtĀ toĀ proceedĀ toĀ monitorĀ the
investigationĀ inĀ theĀ mannerĀ inĀ whichĀ itĀ wouldĀ desire.Ā InĀ that
view,Ā itĀ wouldĀ beĀ openĀ forĀ theĀ writĀ petitioners/applicants
hereinĀ toĀ seekĀ toĀ interveneĀ inĀ theĀ matterĀ beforeĀ theĀ High
CourtĀ subjectĀ toĀ considerationĀ ofĀ suchĀ requestĀ byĀ theĀ High
CourtĀ andĀ ifĀ itĀ findsĀ theĀ needĀ toĀ takeĀ intoĀ considerationĀ the
contentions Ā to Ā be Ā urged Ā by Ā the Ā petitioners/applicants Ā in
thatĀ regard.Ā
11. InsofarĀ asĀ theĀ protectionĀ toĀ theĀ victimāsĀ familyĀ andĀ the
witnesses,Ā the Ā limited Ā purpose Ā for Ā which Ā thisĀ CourtĀ had
directedĀ noticeĀ andĀ soughtĀ forĀ anĀ affidavit;Ā theĀ affidavitĀ as
filed Ā no Ā doubt Ā indicates Ā that Ā sufficient Ā steps Ā have Ā been
takenĀ byĀ theĀ StateĀ GovernmentĀ toĀ provideĀ protection.Ā Ms.
Indira Ā Jaising, Ā learned Ā Senior Ā Counsel Ā would Ā however,
contendĀ thatĀ theĀ protectionĀ asĀ providedĀ throughĀ theĀ State
PoliceĀ wouldĀ notĀ beĀ appropriateĀ andĀ asĀ suchĀ theĀ protection
beĀ directedĀ toĀ beĀ providedĀ byĀ theĀ CentralĀ ReserveĀ Police
ForceĀ (CRPF).Ā ItĀ isĀ furtherĀ contendedĀ byĀ herĀ thatĀ aĀ Special
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
13. 13
Public Ā Prosecutor Ā be Ā appointed Ā and Ā the Ā monitoring Ā be
made.
12. Ā Having Ā taken Ā note Ā of Ā the Ā contentions Ā and Ā having
perusedĀ theĀ affidavitĀ filedĀ onĀ behalfĀ ofĀ theĀ StateĀ Government
weĀ areĀ convincedĀ thatĀ stepsĀ haveĀ beenĀ takenĀ byĀ theĀ State
GovernmentĀ toĀ makeĀ adequateĀ arrangementĀ forĀ securityĀ to
theĀ victimāsĀ familyĀ andĀ witnesses.Ā However,Ā inĀ aĀ matterĀ of
theĀ presentĀ natureĀ itĀ isĀ necessaryĀ toĀ addressĀ theĀ normal
perceptionĀ andĀ pessimismĀ whichĀ cannotĀ beĀ saidĀ asĀ being
without Ā justification. Ā Ā In Ā that Ā view, Ā without Ā casting Ā any
aspersionsĀ onĀ theĀ securityĀ personnelĀ ofĀ theĀ StateĀ Police;Ā in
orderĀ toĀ allayĀ allĀ apprehensionsĀ andĀ onlyĀ asĀ aĀ confidence
buildingĀ measure,Ā weĀ findĀ itĀ appropriateĀ toĀ directĀ thatĀ the
securityĀ toĀ theĀ victimāsĀ familyĀ andĀ theĀ witnessesĀ shallĀ be
providedĀ byĀ theĀ CRPFĀ withinĀ aĀ weekĀ fromĀ today.
13. OnĀ theĀ aspectĀ relatingĀ toĀ theĀ investigation,Ā sinceĀ we
haveĀ indicatedĀ thatĀ theĀ HighĀ CourtĀ wouldĀ lookĀ intoĀ that
aspectĀ ofĀ theĀ matter,Ā theĀ CBIĀ shallĀ reportĀ toĀ theĀ HighĀ Court
in Ā the Ā manner Ā as Ā would Ā be Ā directed Ā by Ā the Ā High Ā Court
throughĀ itsĀ ordersĀ fromĀ timeĀ toĀ time.Ā OnĀ theĀ requestĀ ofĀ Ms.
IndiraĀ Jaising,Ā learnedĀ seniorĀ counselĀ forĀ appointmentĀ ofĀ a
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
14. 14
Special Ā Public Ā Prosecutor Ā we Ā see Ā no Ā need Ā to Ā pass Ā any
specificĀ order.Ā ThisĀ isĀ anĀ aspectĀ whichĀ couldĀ beĀ considered
by Ā the Ā High Ā Court Ā in Ā the Ā light Ā of Ā the Ā provisions Ā of Ā the
ScheduledĀ CastesĀ andĀ theĀ ScheduledĀ Tribes (PreventionĀ of
Atrocities) Ā Act, Ā 1989. Ā In Ā the Ā circumstance Ā wherein Ā the
familyĀ membersĀ ofĀ theĀ victimĀ haveĀ chosenĀ toĀ engageĀ Ms.
SeemaĀ KushwahaĀ andĀ Mr.Ā RajĀ Ratan,Ā Advocates,Ā theyĀ would
considerĀ theseĀ aspectsĀ andĀ makeĀ requestĀ onĀ behalfĀ ofĀ the
victimĀ inĀ accordanceĀ withĀ lawĀ ifĀ suchĀ needĀ arises.Ā
14. Therefore, Ā without Ā expressing Ā any Ā opinion Ā on Ā the
meritsĀ ofĀ theĀ rivalĀ contentions,Ā allĀ aspectsĀ ofĀ theĀ matterĀ are
left Ā open Ā to Ā be Ā considered Ā by Ā the Ā High Ā Court Ā in Ā PIL(C)
No.16150/2020Ā relatingĀ toĀ theĀ incidentĀ regardingĀ whichĀ the
investigationĀ isĀ toĀ beĀ conductedĀ byĀ theĀ CBIĀ andĀ alsoĀ with
regardĀ toĀ theĀ grievanceĀ putĀ forthĀ allegingĀ illegalĀ cremation.
With Ā regard Ā to Ā the Ā protection Ā to Ā the Ā victimās Ā family Ā and
witnesses,Ā theĀ respondentĀ No.2Ā (ChiefĀ Secretary,Ā StateĀ of
U.P)Ā inĀ WP(Crl)Ā No.296/2020Ā shallĀ bringĀ thisĀ orderĀ toĀ the
noticeĀ ofĀ theĀ competentĀ officerĀ ofĀ theĀ CRPFĀ forthwithĀ withĀ a
requestĀ toĀ provideĀ adequateĀ securityĀ toĀ theĀ victimāsĀ family
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.
15. 15
andĀ theĀ witnessesĀ andĀ theĀ CRPFĀ shallĀ takeĀ stepsĀ toĀ provide
theĀ sameĀ andĀ shallĀ reportĀ theĀ sameĀ toĀ theĀ HighĀ Court.
15. InsofarĀ asĀ theĀ transferĀ ofĀ theĀ caseĀ toĀ DelhiĀ asĀ sought
by Ā the Ā petitioners/applicants, Ā Ms. Ā Seema Ā Kushwaha,
learnedĀ counselĀ forĀ theĀ victimāsĀ familyĀ indicatedĀ thatĀ the
need Ā for Ā transfer Ā would Ā arise Ā after Ā the Ā investigation Ā is
complete.Ā Ā OnĀ thisĀ aspectĀ weĀ areĀ alsoĀ ofĀ theĀ viewĀ thatĀ it
wouldĀ beĀ appropriateĀ forĀ investigatingĀ agencyĀ toĀ complete
theĀ investigationĀ andĀ inĀ anyĀ eventĀ sinceĀ theĀ localĀ policeĀ have
beenĀ divestedĀ ofĀ theĀ investigationĀ andĀ theĀ CBIĀ isĀ carrying
out Ā the Ā investigation Ā there Ā would Ā be Ā no Ā room Ā for
apprehensions Ā at Ā this Ā stage. Ā Ā However, Ā the Ā issue Ā as Ā to
whetherĀ theĀ trialĀ ofĀ theĀ caseĀ isĀ toĀ beĀ transferredĀ isĀ aĀ matter
whichĀ isĀ keptĀ openĀ toĀ beĀ consideredĀ ifĀ needĀ arisesĀ inĀ future.
16. BeforeĀ parting,Ā weĀ takeĀ noteĀ ofĀ theĀ submissionĀ ofĀ the
learnedĀ SolicitorĀ GeneralĀ aboutĀ theĀ nameĀ andĀ relationshipĀ of
theĀ familyĀ membersĀ withĀ theĀ victimĀ beingĀ depictedĀ inĀ the
faceĀ ofĀ theĀ orderĀ datedĀ 12.10.2020Ā passedĀ byĀ theĀ HighĀ Court
inĀ PIL(C)Ā No.16150/2020.Ā Ā SinceĀ itĀ isĀ aĀ requirementĀ ofĀ law
toĀ avoidĀ suchĀ disclosure,Ā theĀ HighĀ CourtĀ isĀ requestedĀ to
WP (Crl) No.296/2020 etc.