Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Nov 10: The state high court has directed the chief of the special investigation team (SIT) which went into the sex CD case involving former minister, Ramesh Jarkiholi, to complete the investigation, scrutinise the report prepared by the investigating officer and approve the same.

The instruction was issued by a division bench of the high court presided over by Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, which is examining public interest litigations filed by advocate Geeta Mishra and others who have questioned the validity of appointing the SIT.

Advocate Indira Jaisingh, placing arguments on behalf of the victim, said that the investigation has not been conducted by the police station where the complaint was filed, and the probe was held in the absence of the SIT head. She argued that the report without the signature of the SIT chief is invalid and urged the bench not to permit to file a charge sheet.

Advocate Ashok Harnahalli, arguing on behalf of the SIT, said that ACP Kavita has been appointed as the investigating officer in the case and she has investigated and finalised the report. He therefore demanded permission to file the charge sheet.

The bench which heard the arguments from both sides, said that it is just examining the interim reports and not the merits of the entire case. The bench directed chief of the SIT, Soumendu Mukherjee, to scrutinize the report and approve the same. The report should then be submitted to the high court in a closed envelope, the bench said, before adjourning to November 29. It also said that the interim order which has been issued not to submit final report without the court permission has been extended.