Taking note of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)’s submission that it is facing “acute shortage of staff”, the Punjab & Haryana High Court has directed the Haryana Government to depute Police Officials for the enquiry to be conducted by CBI.

Justice Vinod S. Bhardwaj said, “The State of Haryana is directed to depute one Investigating Officer in the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police and two persons in the rank of ASI for the enquiry to be conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation. Let report be filed on or before the adjourned date.”

The development came while hearing the plea seeking an independent probe into the lapses committed by the Investigating Agency to extend benefits to the persons who are beneficiaries in ensuring the disposal of the State property and misappropriation of the revenue of the Municipal Council.

After hearing the submissions, the Court noted that the allegations needed to be examined independently.

“The allegations have been levelled against officers who have potential to destroy evidence and influence independent investigation. Huge public property is alleged to have squandered, encroached, sold & misappropriated,” added the Court.

Justice Bhardwaj directed “Central Bureau of Investigation to conduct a preliminary enquiry and to submit its report within a period of 04 months.”

The Court noted that CBI contended that it is facing an acute shortage of staff and thus would require that officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police be deputed by the State of Haryana to facilitate the conduct of the preliminary enquiry.

Consequently, the Court directed the State of Haryana to depute one Investigating Officer in the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police and two persons in the rank of ASI for the enquiry to be conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

The Court clarified that it is also to be “ensured that the preliminary enquiry will be conducted by the Officer, who has not been linked as the Investigating Officer in any other capacity with the case or otherwise with the parties in the present case.”

The matter is listed for October 15, for further consideration. The Court has also called for a report to be filed on or before the adjourned date.