SC orders SIT probe into 2023 MP poll-time murder of Congress driver’s aide

The Supreme Court directed the Madhya Pradesh DGP to constitute a Special Investigation Team to probe the 2023 murder of Salman Khan, citing allegations of political influence, and ordered completion of the investigation within two months

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Madhya Pradesh DGP to constitute a Special Investigation Team to probe the 2023 murder of Salman Khan, who was allegedly run over by a car at the behest of politically influential persons during the state elections.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, which heard lawyer Prashant Bhushan, appearing for Rajiya Ali, the widow

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of the deceased, said that an investigation by senior officers was necessary “in the interest of justice and fair play”. Salman Khan worked as the driver of a Congress candidate for the 2023 Madhya Pradesh elections.

“Having regard to the nature of the allegations, it seems to us that, in the interest of justice and fair play, the subject FIR should be investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT),” the bench said.

It directed the Madhya Pradesh DGP to constitute an SIT within two days comprising three IPS officers of the rank of SSP and two officers not below the rank of DSP and inspector.

“All members of the SIT are to be from outside the police jurisdiction of Chhatarpur district,” it said, adding that the SIT will be headed by an IPS officer serving in Madhya Pradesh but not hailing from the state.

The court also directed that the SIT shall take over the entire record from the concerned investigating officer and independently determine the course of the probe without being influenced by the earlier one.

It specifically ordered that the affidavits and statements of the eyewitnesses be recorded and duly considered before submission of the final chargesheet before the competent local court.

The bench also directed that the investigation has to be completed within two months. It, however, clarified that it was not expressing any opinion on the merits of the allegations.

In her petition, Rajiya Ali sought transfer of the investigation on the ground that the probe had been “compromised” due to alleged political influence.

The petitioner alleged that Salman Khan, who was the driver of a rival Congress candidate, was murdered by persons linked to now-sitting BJP MLA Arvind Pateriya. The FIR was lodged on November 17, 2023, Bhushan said, adding that no substantial progress has been made in the probe so far.

Bhushan submitted that despite four eyewitnesses coming forward, the state police failed to record their statements. “There were four eye witnesses… Five people gave sworn affidavits to the police saying they were eyewitnesses, yet their statements were not recorded,” Bhushan claimed.

He also said that the police relied on statements of three persons purportedly from the complainant’s family, who allegedly stated that the candidate’s vehicle was not involved.

“Those three persons are not related in any way,” he said. During the hearing, the CJI said that disclosing the identities of eyewitnesses in an open court could expose them to risks, and suggested that their names be shared with Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S V Raju, appearing for the Madhya Pradesh Police.

Justice Bagchi said the “duty (of the state) is to instil confidence”. The ASG strongly opposed the allegations of bias, maintaining that the investigation nearing completion had been conducted fairly, independently and impartially.