SC questions delay in filing PIL seeking re-probe into murder of Guj minister Haren Pandya

The Supreme Court Tuesday put several searching questions to an NGO which has sought re-probe into the murder of Gujarat Minister Haren Pandya, ranging from the delay in filing the plea to whether a PIL can be based on newspaper reports that too in a criminal case already heard by it.

A bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra and Vineet Saran also reserved its verdict on the plea filed by the 'Centre for Public Interest Litigation' (CPIL) seeking court-monitored fresh investigation into the Pandya murder case.

Pandya was a minister of state for home in the then Narendra Modi-led state government in Gujarat. He was shot dead on March 26, 2003 in Ahmedabad near Law Garden during morning walk.

The bench also said there should be a panel of independent neutral lawyers to examine the PILs which have political colour.

"Why you are coming to the apex court under Article 32 by filing PIL 16-17 years after the killing," the bench asked.

It followed up the query by adding as to why the NGO did not reveal in the plea that the apex court was hearing the appeal of the CBI against the acquittal of the accused by the Gujarat High Court.

"Mr (Prashant) Bhushan, we are aware of the facts of the case. Have you disclosed the fact in your petition that we are hearing the appeal in the case. The appeal against the high court order was being heard by this court since November (last year)