Chennai,Oct 17:
The Madras High Court has declined to transfer the investigation into the cases registered against Gem Granites owner R Veeramani to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), observing that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) should be allowed to proceed with its investigation.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice S A Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan was hearing a public interest litigation filed by G Devarajan seeking a CBI probe into the cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Public Prosecutor John Sathyan told the court that seven cases had been registered in connection with the matter, including six cases of sexual assault and one relating to sexual assault leading to suicide. Five persons had been arrested, he submitted.
The Bench noted that the investigation was still at an initial stage and questioned whether another petition seeking a transfer of the probe could delay the SIT’s work. It also pointed out that an earlier petition seeking similar relief had been withdrawn and a related matter was pending before a single judge.
The petitioner’s counsel subsequently sought permission to withdraw the PIL and approach the single judge hearing the related case. The Bench permitted the withdrawal and dismissed the petition as withdrawn.