Supreme Court Directs CBI to Question Accused in Shimla with Videography, Sets Next Hearing for November 11
New Delhi, Sept 25: The Supreme Court on Thursday issued directions to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with a case arising from a Himachal Pradesh High Court order, while hearing a special leave petition (SLP) filed by Desh Raj against the State of Himachal Pradesh.
A bench comprising Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice S.V.N. Bhatti, after detailed arguments and in the presence of senior CBI officials, ordered that the petitioner must appear before the agency whenever summoned.
High Court had directed the CBI to probe the matter related to the mysterious death of Vimal Negi, who went missing from his office on March 10 and his body was found in Bhakra Dam on March 17.
The court emphasized that the venue should be convenient and the timings “more earthly.”
The top court made it mandatory for the entire questioning of the accused to be videographed and transcribed simultaneously.
Copies of the video and transcript will be provided to the accused and also submitted to the court. The judges also limited each questioning session to a maximum of three hours, though multiple sittings could be scheduled if necessary.
The first sitting has been fixed for September 27 at 11 a.m. at the CBI Camp Office in Shimla.
Subsequent dates, if needed, will be scheduled keeping in view upcoming festivities and the convenience of both parties.
The matter will now be taken up on November 11. Meanwhile, the court directed that its interim order would continue till the next hearing.
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