Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 21

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday asked a counsel to take specific instructions whether a letter by the Special DGP-cum-Director, Punjab Bureau of Investigation, in the sacrilege matter had the government’s approval. The letter was addressed to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director in July last year.

The High Court, in a related matter, was earlier told that a letter dated July 29, 2019, was written by the Special DGP forwarding certain new/relevant information to the CBI regarding the sacrilege cases. The CBI, in furtherance to the receipt of the letter, had filed an application before the CBI Special Judicial Magistrate, Mohali, praying that the closure report filed by it in the sacrilege matters be kept in abeyance till completion of the further investigation.

As petitions filed by Shakti Singh and other petitioners through senior advocate Vinod Ghai and Kanika Ahuja came up for resumed hearing, Justice Amol Rattan Singh asked senior advocate Harin P Rawal to take specific instructions from the Government of Punjab as to whether the Special DGP’s letter (dated July 26/29, 2019) addressed to the CBI Director was after the government’s approval. The CBI was represented by counsel Sumeet Goel.

Justice Amol Rattan Singh added the letter, at the end, said it was issued with the concurrence of the DGP, who obviously was not the Government of Punjab.

“The specific query is needed to be answered by senior counsel after looking at the file noting pertaining to the issuance of that letter (and any ancillary noting), in view of the fact thatthe government had issued a notification on September 6, 2018, withdrawing itsconsent for investigation by the CBI,” Justice Amol Rattan Singh added.