CBI probe based on Joshi’s FIR attempt to divert justice in Ankita case, alleges Congress
PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The Congress has alleged that the State government going for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Ankita Bhandari murder case, on the basis of the FIR lodged by environmentalist Anil Prakash Joshi is an attempt to divert the investigation. It appears to be an attempt to divert focus from the main issue, Congress leader Garima Dasauni said.
She said that it is very unfortunate that the government sidelined the family of the victim and effectively placed it out of the process. She questioned why the CBI investigation was not recommended on the basis of the written application submitted by Bhandari’s parents to the chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. She questioned, “Is the government afraid of the voice of the victim’s family? Is the government trying to protect those whose names are coming to light in this case?”
The Congress leader further said that the victim’s family has the first right in the legal process. She alleged that in this case, the government intentionally sidelined the victim’s side. This raises serious questions at the impartiality of the investigation, she said. Dasauni demanded that the CBI probe should be conducted on the basis of Bhandari’s parents and that they should be made parties in all procedures of the probe. A sitting judge should monitor the probe and a high-level inquiry should be conducted into any conspiracy to protect the guilty in the case. The government should stand with the family of the victim if it genuinely wants to ensure justice instead of trampling upon their rights, she added.
