Ryan murder: CBI to probe Pinto’s role in ‘conspiracy’

CHANDIGARH: Strongly opposing the anticipatory bail plea filed by Ryan Augustine Pinto, the CBI on Saturday said that it has "prima facie found" that Ryan Augustine Pinto, the CEO of Ryan Group of Institutions, may be involved in the conspiracy behind the murder of the seven-year-old student, Pradhyumn Thakur.

"Possibility of him (Ryan Pinto) being member of the conspiracy behind murder of master Pradhyumn in the washroom of Ryan International School, Bhondsi, Gurugram on September 8 and its abetment, destruction of the evidence by him cannot be ruled out," according to the investigation agency.

These assertions were made on Saturday by the CBI before the Punjab and Haryana high court.

On Ryan's plea that he is neither connected with Ryan International School Gurugram nor its managing committee, the CBI has submitted that as per the school magazine, Ryan Pinto is the CEO of Ryan Group of Institutions and all schools are working under his control.

"Prima facie careless attitude of the management has aided to the murder of the Pradhyumn. Investigation is at crucial stage and larger conspiracy is yet to be unearthed. Any relief at this stage may hamper the course of investigation and he may misuse the liberty of bail granted to him," submitted the CBI.

The agency has also found that the bus drivers, conductors and other staff, who were not supposed to enter the toilets of students, were regularly using the same facilities. Even the boundary wall of the school was not constructed from the past many years and the managements had not taken any action. During its visit to school, the CBI found that the boundary wall was constructed recently.

Referring to the investigation, initially carried out by Haryana Police, the CBI stated that the CCTV cameras in most of the buses were not working and security guards were found to be lethargic and not vigilant to verify the details of visitors entering the school premises. Tubelights were not working in most of the boys washrooms in entire building.

"Careless attitude of the school authorities and lapses in the security seems to have led to the murder of Pradhyumn. Interrogation of Ryan Pinto is very much essential in the interest of investigation of the case and also to unearth the larger conspiracy behind the murder," agency has claimed.

Ryan had filed the plea for interim bail along with his father Augustine Pinto and mother and managing director (MD) of the group, Grace Pinto. On Pinto family's claims they have deep roots in the society and there can be no apprehension of their absconding, the premier agency has submitted, "Status of a person in the society does not allow him to claim special/different treatment in the eyes of law".