Missing son: HC grants CBI time till Feb 12 to file counter

Madras High Court today granted CBI time till February 12 to file its counter on a petition by a man seeking a direction to the agency to constitute a new team to investigate the case of his missing son, who was allegedly abducted.
Sushil Mandal had sought the constitution of a new team, preferably from North India, to investigate the case of his missing son Sandesh.
"Additional affidavit has been filed by the petitioner seeking direction from this court to constitute a new team of investigating officers, preferably from North India, to investigate his case.
"Chandrasekharan, Special Public Prosecutor for CBI, has prayed for filing a counter. At his request posted on February 12 2014," the bench Comprising Justices S Rajeswaran and P N Prakash said in its brief order.

Sushil of Hosur in Krishnagiri district said his 17-year-old son Sandesh went missing from October 15, 2011 after he had dinner and left home.
Sushil, had in his habeas corpus petition that year, alleged that Sandesh was kidnapped by one Raj Kumar with whose daughter his son was having an affair.

The court transferred the case to CBI as the state CB-CID investigation failed to make any headway.
Mandal alleged that the CBI investigation was also not satisfactory and said the agency had done nothing in nine months, other than getting a report of their choice to bury the case.

He said no investigation was launched against Raj Kumar, a Central Excise officer, who had used his influence and was keeping his son in illegal custody.
Claiming that the CBI produced the body of a 40-year-old man, Mandal said he also did not accept the post mortem report given by the CBI on the ground that the clothes worn by his son were different as also the age.
Hence he prayed for the appointment of a new team of investigating officials from the north.