The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday, 27 September, said it has found no evidence to back the allegations made against the agency's Joint Director AK Bhatnagar in connection with a fake encounter case in Jharkhand.
“Till now, no evidence has surfaced on record during the investigation conducted so far against Bhatnagar, the then Inspector General of the Jharkhand Police,” a CBI spokesperson said, reported IANS.
What Was CBI’s Response?
The spokesperson said that the Bakoria/Bhalu Vahi encounter case was registered in compliance with the 22 October 2018 orders of the Jharkhand High Court relating to the attack and firing on police personnel by CPI-Maoist extremist elements.
He said the case was initially registered in Daltonganj in Palamu district of the Jharkhand.
What Were The Allegations?
After the feud between the two top CBI officers last year, another case has come to light in which a Deputy SP-level officer complained that a Joint Director in the investigative agency was involved in a "fake encounter" of 14 innocent persons in Jharkhand.
In the complaint, CBI Deputy Superintendent of Police NP Mishra has accused Joint Director AK Bhatnagar of being involved in a "fake encounter" and sought his removal from the service. The copy of the complaint has been given to the CBI Director, Chief Vigilance Commissioner and the PMO.
“It is submitted that AK Bhatnagar, who is presently working as JD (Admn), CBI, is grossly involved in the fake encounter of 14 innocent persons in Jharkhand. It is also learnt that the related case is under investigation in CBI SC-I Branch.”The Complaint
Mishra said the family of the victims have already complained in this regard, reported ANI.
"Besides, the above heinous criminal act, involvement of Bhatnagar in various corrupt practices in the organisation has been brought to the notice of your good self on various occasions by various representation/complaints," the complaint said.
This is not the first instance of Mishra levelling an allegation against another officer of the CBI, reported ANI. In 2019, he had accused three senior officials of the agency of 'corruption and manipulation of evidence' in the murder case of journalist Umesh Rajput in Chhattisgarh. CBI had denied all allegations at that time.
Mishra had challenged his transfer order in the Delhi High Court which will hear the case on 1 October.
(With inputs from ANI, IANS)
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