Bombay High Court Transfers Wadala Custodial Death Probe to CBI, Citing "Glaring Omissions" by Police SIT

In a significant move underscoring the judiciary's unwavering commitment to justice, the Bombay High Court has delivered a powerful blow to the perceived inefficiencies of local law enforcement by transferring the sensitive Wadala custodial death probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

This pivotal decision comes nearly a year after the alleged death of Vijay Singh in police custody, following months of apparent inaction and glaring inconsistencies by the Mumbai Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT).

The tragic case revolves around Vijay Singh, who was reportedly beaten to death while in the custody of the Wadala TT police.

His untimely demise sparked outrage and led to a desperate quest for answers by his grieving family, particularly his father. The initial investigation was handed over to a Special Investigation Team of the Mumbai Police, tasked with unraveling the circumstances surrounding Singh's death and holding those responsible accountable.

However, the High Court bench, comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Gauri Godse, expressed profound dissatisfaction with the SIT's handling of the case.

Their scathing observations highlighted a disturbing lack of progress and transparency. The court noted "glaring omissions" by the SIT, including their failure to provide a "justifiable reason" for the delay in the probe. Justice Dere explicitly stated, "We find no justifiable reason for the SIT not taking the probe forward...There are glaring omissions which have come to the notice of this court."

One of the most concerning aspects highlighted by the court was the SIT's failure to even record the detailed statement of Vijay Singh's father.

Despite the father repeatedly requesting to have his statement recorded thoroughly, the SIT only took a brief, superficial account. This glaring lapse, coupled with the SIT's inability to file a chargesheet in the 10 months since the incident, painted a grim picture of a stalled investigation. The court also pointed out that the SIT failed to retrieve the "panchanama" (witness record) prepared by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) during the discovery of the body, a crucial piece of evidence.

The court's observations didn't stop at mere inefficiency; they hinted at a more sinister possibility.

Justice Dere remarked on the "slow pace and the manner in which the SIT is conducting the investigation," suggesting that the team appeared to be "trying to shield someone." This insinuation of a deliberate attempt to protect culprits further cemented the necessity for an independent agency to take over.

The transfer to the CBI is a vital step and a ray of hope for Vijay Singh's family and a strong message from the judiciary that justice delayed is justice denied, especially in cases involving alleged police brutality.

The court expressed confidence that the CBI, with its independent mandate and resources, would conduct a thorough and impartial investigation, ensuring that all those responsible for Vijay Singh's death are brought to justice, thereby upholding the rule of law and restoring public faith in the investigative process.