In a pivotal judgment on Wednesday, the Supreme Court of India upheld the decision to entrust the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with the probe into the 2019 alleged murder of Bengaluru-based realtor K Raghunath. Justices Dipankar Datta and Prashant Kumar Mishra, presiding over the bench, dismissed the criminal appeals filed by the accused challenging the Karnataka High Court’s directive for a CBI investigation.
The court articulated that once an FIR is registered and the investigation is underway, the decision to appoint a specialized agency like the CBI cannot be contested by prospective suspects or the accused. “The matter for entrusting investigation to a particular agency is fundamentally at the discretion of the Court,” Justice Mishra noted, representing the unanimous view of the bench.
The case traces back to the mysterious death of Raghunath, a known real estate developer and an associate of the late MP DK Adikeshavalu. His demise under enigmatic circumstances led his family to suspect foul play, implicating several close associates of Adikeshavalu.
Despite initial hesitations by local law enforcement to act, Raghunath’s wife, M Manjula, filed a private complaint resulting in the registration of FIRs against various individuals under serious charges including murder and conspiracy.
The proceedings took a significant turn when the Karnataka High Court, responding to deficiencies in the preliminary investigations and potential local interferences, mandated a CBI-led investigation. This was after quashing a magistrate’s earlier order for further investigation by local police due to jurisdictional issues.
The Supreme Court’s affirmation of the High Court’s order underscores the necessity of a neutral and thorough investigation by the CBI, especially given the complex nature of the case which involves intricate property disputes and alleged forgery.
The apex court’s decision emphasizes the discretionary power of courts to assign cases to specialized agencies to uphold the integrity of the investigation process, particularly in scenarios where local influences might impede justice.
As per the Supreme Court’s directive, the concerned police department is to transfer all relevant documents to the CBI within 15 days, and the CBI is expected to conclude its investigation within eight months. Should the investigation lead to a chargesheet, it will be filed before the competent CBI Court in Karnataka.
