NEW DELHI: The Union Home Ministry is considering a proposal to transfer the “larger conspiracy case” involving Simranjit Singh Mann and others for prosecution to the CBI after the term of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) expires on May 31.
According to informed sources, the proposal to transfer the case pertaining to the so called conspiracy behind the assassination of Indira Gandhi was discussed at a high level meeting in the Ministry earlier. The Ministry feels since investigations into the case are over, no purpose would be served by retaining the SIT, which had incurred an expenditure of Rs 1.53 crore.
The trial proceedings are on in a Delhi court and the CBI can follow them up. The SIT officers can be attached to the CBI for this purpose.
The CBI has several special investigating units headed by Deputy Inspector Generals. Important terrorist cases, including Sant Longowal’s assassination, Gen. Vaidya’s murder and the hijacking of an Indian plane by some freedom fighters are being handled by a special CBI unit headed by O.P. Sharma.
Although the CBI Director, Mohan Katre, is reportedly disinclined to take up this case, the Ministry has made up its mind to hand over the case to the CBI.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 5, 1989
