Pandya murder: Gujarat HC dismisses plea for re-investigation

The Gujarat High Court has dismissed the appeal of Vithal Pandya, father of Gujarat’s former Home Minister Haren Pandya, demanding re-investigation and re-trial in his son’s murder case. A petition filed in December last year said the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) did not thoroughly probe the case and acted merely on tips provided by local police. Claiming that the investigation carried out by the CBI was just an eyewash, it sought a fresh investigation and re-trial. Appearing on behalf of the CBI, Assistant Solicitor General Harin Rawal contended that there was a long delay in filing of appeal after POTA rejected its demand for re-investigation. A division bench comprising of Justice J R Vora and Justice M R Shahd does not stand any merit.Haren Pandya was killed on March 26, 2003 in the law garden area of the city while he was out for a morning walk.After investigation, the CBI held 18 persons responsible for the crime and nabbed 12 of them who were convicted by a POTA court. Nine of them were sentenced to life imprisonment, two were jailed for seven years, and one for five years. Bureau Report
Ahmedabad, June 17:
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