📌 Key Highlights
- New Delhi, The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Madhya Pradesh DGP to set up a three-member SIT to investigate the…
- On Thursday, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi directed the Madhya Pradesh Directo…
New Delhi, The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Madhya Pradesh DGP to set up a three-member SIT to investigate the death of a 27-year-old tribal man and granted interim protection from arrest to state minister Govind Singh Rajput in connection with a criminal case registered in the matter.
On Thursday, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi directed the Madhya Pradesh Director General of Police to form a three-member SIT to probe Nilesh Adivasi’s death.
Adivasi had earlier filed a case under the SC-ST Act against Rajput, only to later claim that he was forced to file this complaint. Shortly after he resiled from his complaint, he died by suicide and a fresh SC/ST case was registered against Rajput in connection with his death.
The CJI-led bench directed that the SIT be set up within two days and would comprise two SSP-level police officers of state cadre, who are not the natives of Madhya Pradesh, to ensure neutrality amid the conflicting accounts of the incident.
The third officer to the SIT has to be a woman Deputy SP, the bench said, adding that the SIT should probe the case expeditiously and preferably conclude within a month.
The CJI said the SIT must begin work immediately and examine every angle behind the death, including those that may not have been part of the ongoing police investigation.
“In light of different versions which have emerged, we direct that the arrest of Govind Singh Rajput, shall be stayed as an interim measure. If the SIT finds incriminating material, the SIT can seek leave of this Court for custodial interrogation. The SIT shall also consider other possibilities that might have led to the unfortunate demise of the victim,” the bench ordered.
It said a fresh investigation was “warranted” by the officers without local ties.
The bench also directed that witness-protection measures be implemented and that no one, particularly tribal witnesses, be subjected to pressure.
In addition to protecting Rajput from arrest, the court extended interim protection to the brother of the deceased during the investigation.
“No coercive measure shall be taken against the brother of the deceased so as to enable them to join the investigation,” the bench said.
Meanwhile, the bench asked the high court to take up the pending writ petition filed by Adivasi’s wife, in which she had sought intervention alleging inaction and bias by the local police.
