JOIN USSP probing Rajiv murder removed, verbally
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Ranjit Kumar Sinha has removed the chief investigation officer who was probing the larger conspiracy behind former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination in 1991.
Sources said Superintendent of Police (SP) B N Mishra was verbally communicated that his services were no longer required. Mishra was re-employed in 2006 as the chief investigation officer of the sensitive case through a Cabinet decision.
Mishra, a CBI promotee officer, has been working as Chief Investigation Officer in the Multi Disciplinary Monitoring Agency (MDMA) formed way back in 1999 on the directions of the Jain Commission. The MDMA had sourced officers from other agencies, including Intelligence Bureau and Research and Analysis Wing, to probe the larger conspiracy behind the Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination by the erstwhile LTTE.
According to the then government order, Mishra’s post was to be co-terminus with the MDMA probe. He was supposed to assist the probe till its completion and the special TADA court set up in Chennai to hear case accepts the final report, senior CBI officers said.
Intriguingly, the CBI has not given Mishra in writing that his extended service has been terminated, said senior officials. No explanation, it seems, was given to him why suddenly he is not required in the agency.
CBI director Ranjit Kumar Sinha was not available for comment despite attempts made to reach out to him on his mobile phone.
Every year, the CBI submits a report to the Ministry of Home Affairs before May 31 to seek one year extension for the probe. Of the 25 letters rogatory, the CBI had sent to different countries to pick strands of conspiracy and funding behind the case, three to four countries have not responded so far.
Besides, the CBI request to officially question top LTTE leader Selvarasa Pathmanathan alias “KP,” arrested a few years ago in Sri Lanka, is still pending with the neighbouring country as his name figures as absconder. After killing LTTE chief Veluppillai Prabhakaran, Sri Lankan forces had arrested KP and he remained in their custody till later last year.
The move to remove Mishra is likely raise hackles in the UPA government which is very sensitive to any issue that is linked to United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi.