Kotkhai custodial death case: Special court issues notice to CBI over applications moved by jailed IPS officer Zahur Zaidi

CHANDIGARH: The special court has issued notice to CBI on two applications moved by suspended inspector general of police (IGP) Zahur Haider Zaidi seeking permission to use computer in Burail Jail office to prepare his case notes and grant of better class facility in Burail Jail. Zaidi has been an accused in the Kotkhai custodial death case along with others. The court has sought response of CBI by July 31.
In the first application, Zaidi stated that he has been living with 12 other inmates and in such situation, his documents are at constant risk of being misplaced and their safe keeping is difficult. It was also stated that before outbreak of Covid-19, Zaidi had regular visits of his counsel during the permitted visiting hours. During these visits, he used to pass handwritten instructions and the case related documents to counsel. However since March 17,2020,the visits of his counsel has been discontinued due to fear of Covid-19 and as a result, safe keeping and proper organization of his case related documents has become difficult. He has sought permission to use computer in office of jail officer for three hours as week under his watch.
Though the jail superintendent has dismissed his application to use computer to prepare case notes citing security reasons. Also it was sated by jail superintendent that no such provision exists in Punjab jail manual, though they can prepare handwritten notes which can be send outside jail after censoring the same by jail authorities. Also Zaidi can discuss his case through e-mulakat with his advocate and he can also talk over phone to his advocate, the jail superintendent stated while dismissing his application following which Zaidi moved to court.
In second application, Zaidi stated that he is post graduate and income tax payer and he is entitled for “B” class facilities inside jail as per jail manual, hence he should be granted better class facilities.
The special court of CBI had cancelled bail granted to him by Supreme court on January 24. His bail was cancelled by special court of CBI of Chandigarh after the then SP Shimla Soumya Sambasivan stated in CBI court that how she has been pressurized and influence by the then IG Zahur Zaidi to not to give statement in court. The special court of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had on January 8 directed DGP Himachal Pradesh to look into the matter and take action against then IG Zahur Zaidi following which he was also suspended. Zaidi was first arrested on August 29, 2017 within 38 days of CBI taking over the investigation and he remained in custody for over 19 months. He was released on April 6, 2019 via Supreme Court order. Zaidi was also granted interim bail by CBI court to attend last rites of his relative who died in lucknow from February 4 to 9,2020. Later HC dismissed his bail application and he is confined in Burail jail.