The court seeks a status report from CBI amidst allegations of wrongful implication and alteration of investigation in the high-profile case.
In a significant development in the long-standing case of the assassination of former Railway Minister L.N. Mishra, the Delhi High Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a status report clarifying its stand on the re-investigation of the case. The court's directive came during the hearing of appeals filed by two Anand Margis, Santoshanand Avadhut @ Ghanshyam Prasad and another, who were convicted by a Sessions Court in 2014.
The case dates back to January 2, 1975, when L.N. Mishra was killed in a bomb attack at the Samastipur Railway Station, an incident that also claimed the lives of two others and injured 18. Initially handled by the State CID of Bihar, the investigation was quickly transferred to the CBI. The investigation saw a dramatic shift when two initial suspects were discharged, and individuals associated with the Anand Marg sect were implicated and arrested.
The appellants, who have maintained their innocence, allege wrongful implication and deliberate alteration in the course of the investigation. They, along with the victim's family, have called for a re-investigation, citing a secret inquiry report from 1978, which they claim points to other individuals who were not prosecuted.
During the proceedings, Mr. Ajit Sharma and Mr. Vaibhav Mishra, representing the victim's family, argued that the actual conspirators were not brought to justice. The appellants' counsel, Ms. Sima Gulati, supported the call for re-investigation, asserting that her clients were wrongly convicted.
The court, comprising Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Madhu Jain, noted the absence of a formal affidavit or status report from the CBI, despite oral instructions supporting the original Sessions Court judgment. Consequently, the court has mandated that a status report be filed by an officer of at least the rank of Joint Director, outlining the CBI's position on the matter.
The Delhi High Court has scheduled the next hearing for March 25, 2026, emphasizing that no adjournments will be granted, in line with Supreme Court directions for an expedited resolution of the appeals. The court has also allowed the parties to access the electronic court record and the trial court record to prepare for the upcoming hearing.
The case, which has spanned over four decades and seen significant legal and political developments, remains one of the most high-profile assassination cases in India's history. The outcome of the forthcoming hearings could have far-reaching implications for the appellants and the broader quest for justice in the assassination of L.N. Mishra.
Bottom Line:
Case involving the investigation and conviction related to the unfortunate demise of Sh. L.N. Mishra, former Railway Minister, Government of India at Samastipur Railway Station in 1975. Appellants seek re-investigation alleging wrongful implication and deliberate alteration in the course of investigation.
Statutory provision(s): Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973
