The Madras High court on Wednesday refused to transfer the investigation into the Protection of children from sexual offence (Pocso) case involving granite baron R Veeramani to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), saying that the special investigation team (SIT) constituted by the Tamil Nadu government should be given time to collect evidence.
“The SIT itself had been formed hardly four days ago and it has commenced its probe. I am sure the Tamil Nadu police does not have a crystal ball or magic wand to collect all evidence at once. “It is a sensitive matter. I am more concerned about the children. You cannot politicise it. There are other cases in which you can get publicity.
Veeramani and two of his aides were arrested by the Anti-Vice Squad on August 28 in a case under the Pocso Act concerning the alleged rape of minor girls.
Investigation takes time,” the high court said, adding that even without giving the SIT breathing space, asking to transfer probe to CBI will not be proper. The case was registered after the Intelligence and Technology Police Unit received a USB drive containing video clips which allegedly showed Veeramani sexually assaulting the minors, according to the police. Please do not use this,” the court said.
“We’ll transfer it to the FBI. Totally independent. Out of India. How can you say they’re keeping silent? This is a publicity interest litigation. Four women officers have been appointed.
A local journalist, Vaaraki, had moved the high court earlier this week seeking transfer of the probe from the SIT to the CBI, expressing apprehension that the SIT would not conduct an independent and effective investigation, due to the involvement of high-ranking officials.
Justice V Lakshminarayanan said the SIT had been formed only four days ago and had already commenced its probe. The court said there was no justification for transferring the investigation to CBI without giving the SIT an opportunity to investigate the case. When the petitioner said he apprehended that an independent investigation would not be carried out and that the investigating team was keeping silent about evidence against certain high-ranking officials, the court questioned how such allegations could be made without allowing the SIT time to investigate. Why are you interfering without giving them an opportunity to investigate?” the High Court said.
