SC reserves verdict on pleas for independent probe into judge Loya's death

The Supreme Court today reserved its verdict on a batch of pleas seeking an independent probe into the alleged mysterious death of special CBI judge B H Loya, who was hearing the high-profile Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case.

Loya had died following a cardiac arrest in Nagpur on December 1, 2014 when he had gone to attend the wedding of a colleague's daughter, according to his post-mortem report.

The Maharashtra government has told the apex court that all the petitions seeking an independent probe into the death of the special CBI judge were motivated and aimed at targeting "one individual" in the guise of upholding the rule of law.

The statement of senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Maharashtra government, assumed significance as several lawyers, representing the petitioners, have questioned why did the Central Bureau of Investigation did not file an appeal against the discharge of BJP president Amit Shah in the fake encounter case.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud said it will pass orders on the batch of pleas and the petitioners may file written submissions, if any.

The petitions were filed by Bombay Lawyers Association, Congress leader Tehseen Poonawala and others.