The State police claimed that NCB officials were trying to extort money by threatening to implicate two men in a drug case. Meanwhile, the NCB officials counter-alleged that police officers were hand-in-glove with the drug mafia.
“Factual narrative in the case herein is rather glaring. It appears that two Investigative Agencies are at loggerheads, embroiled in a direct conflict, each striving to attribute criminal culpability concerning the contraband in question i.e. 5 kg of opium,” the Court noted in a July 26 order.
Justice Arun Monga proceeded to conclude that it is better that a probe into this tussle be handled by a neutral third agency. The Court entrusted this task to the CBI, Jodhpur.
“It is directed that both the complaints/FIRs i.e. the one registered by NCB and the other registered by State Police, shall be initially registered as one preliminary inquiry by the CBI, Jodhpur. They shall proceed further to enquire into the entire matter. Based on the outcome thereof, prepare a preliminary report in writing, qua the culpability of crime, if any. And thereafter, if so warranted, preliminary inquiry shall be converted into a registered case and a charge-sheet be filed in”, the Court ordered.
The Court added that the Superintendent of Police of CBI, Jodhpur should personally investigate the matter and not delegate it to any other official junior to him.
Source: Barandbench
