Pradyuman murder: Khattar govt orders CBI probe, to take over management of Ryan School for 3 months

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has ordered a CBI investigation into the Pradyuman murder case. Seven-year-old Pradyuman Thakur, a Class 2 student, was found with his throat slit inside the washroom of Ryan International School in Gurgaon on September 8. A conductor of the school bus was arrested for the crime.

The government will take over the management of Ryan International School's Sohna Road Branch in Gurgaon for 3 months. 

Pradyuman's parents Varun and Jyoti Thakur - had sought a CBI probe into the matter.

Details from the CCTV footage seized by the police showed that Pradyuman was wheeled into the hospital almost 33 minutes after he was attacked by knife in the school's toilet. Only if he had been granted medical aid sooner, his life could perhaps have been saved. 

Speaking to  the media after visiting Pradyuman's distraught family in Gurgaon, Khattar said: "Investigation into the murder, being done by the Haryana Police, will now be carried out by the CBI."

"I appeal to the CBI to fast-track the case. The lapses will be looked into. The deputy commissioner will take over the school management", the chief minister said.

Talking to India Today, an inconsolable Varun Thakur said, "I do not wish this misfortune upon anyone. Our house will never hear laughter again. I am satisfied with the chief minister's decision. My fight for justice will continue. I doubt that some others may also be involved in this murder. I am confident the CBI probe will bring out the truth and all the perpetrators will be brought to justice."

With the case now handed over to the CBI, it has been learnt that the Gurgaon Police will not file a chargesheet in the murder, as was announced earlier. CBI will take up the matter and file a fresh FIR. After the investigation, CBI will file its own chargesheet. Earlier, the Gurgaon Police had announced it would file the chargesheet within seven days.

BOMBAY HC REJECTED RYAN FOUNDERS' BAIL PLEAS  

The Bombay High Court had on Thursday rejected the anticipatory bail petitions of three trustees of the Ryan International Group in connection with Pradyuman's murder, but granted them interim protection from arrest until Friday evening.

Justice Ajey Gadkari also directed the applicants - group's CEO Ryan Pinto and his parents Augustine Pinto, founding chairman, and Grace Pinto, the group's managing director - to submit their passports to the Mumbai police commissioner by Thursday night otherwise their interim protection would be withdrawn.

The court had granted interim protection till Friday so that the Pintos could approach a "higher court", their lawyer said.

The Pintos, who are based in Mumbai, approached the high court in Mumbai as they apprehended arrest in the case after the school was accused of negligence.

The lawyers of Pradyuman's father Varun Thakur and the Maharashtra government on Thursday had vehemently opposed Pintos' applications.

ALSO WATCH VIDEO | Pradyuman was taken to 2 hospitals, he was conscious all along: Ryan bus conductor