SIT Looking Into Acquittal in Pehlu Khan Case Finds Probe Lapses

The SIT was constituted to identify errors and irregularities in the investigation.

Image used for representational purposes.

(Photo: Arnica Kala/The Quint)

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to investigate the acquittal of six suspects in the 2017 Pehlu Khan lynching case has reportedly found "shoddy investigation" on the officers' part.

The SIT on Thursday, 5 September, submitted its report to the Rajsthan DGP, news agency PTI reported, quoting sources.

The report will soon be presented before the chief minister, according to PTI.

WHAT’S THERE IN THE REPORT?

According to a Hindustan Times report, the SIT has found the following loopholes on part of the four investigating officers:

• The first officer committed 29 mistakes including delay in visiting the spot of alleged assault, failure in calling forensics and not ordering mechanical examination of Pehlu Khan's vehicles.
• The second officer overlooked "shoddy" investigation and did not "supervise" investigation properly.
• The third officer did not record eyewitness' statements.
• The fourth officer cleared the six accused in Pehlu Khan's dying declaration "without solid evidence".

WHY WAS THE SIT FORMED?

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had ordered a fresh investigation into the case and decided to follow it up with an appeal against the acquittal of all six accused in the case by an Alwar court last month.

Following this, the SIT under the supervision of state's additional director general of police (Crime) was constituted.

It was constituted to identify errors and irregularities in the investigation and fix the responsibility for a botched up investigation on individual officers.

DIG (Special Operation Group) Nitin Deep Ballagan heads the special probe team, which also includes SP (CID-CB) Sameer Kumar Singh and ASP (Vigilance) Sameer Dubey.

(With inputs from PTI and Hindustan Times)