Minor death case: Sessions court nixes plea for CBI probe; Fatber to challenge order

The case was investigated by Gujarat CID Crime Cell, which also filed a chargesheet against seven office bearers of the gurukul. They are facing charge of causing death by negligence under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code and Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act.

Aggrieved by the police investigation in the case, the father moved an application before the magisterial court while seeking further investigation by CBI. The magisterial court, however, dismissed the application. The father then challenged the same while moving a revision application before the Sessions Court.

Speaking with The Indian Express, the father said he is planning to challenge the order before the High Court.

In its order rejecting the application, the sessions court recorded the argument of the additional public prosecutor in the case that the magisterial court does not have power to transfer investigation of a case from police to some other agency or the CBI.

It also mentioned that the magisterial court has recorded that the CID Crime Cell has done investigation of the case while also filing a chargesheet. It also recorded that the applicant’s application seeking CBI probe in the case was rejected by the Supreme Court.

Rejecting the application, the sessions court observed that it does not find it “reasonable” to interfere with the order of the magisterial court.

The case was reported in July 2008, causing widespread public agitation against Asaram and his ashram in Gujarat. The parents of the two boys have been levelling allegations that the boys might have fallen prey to someone from the Ashram practicing black magic.