Govt to order CBI probe into Munde's death

Under pressure from Maharashtra BJP leaders, the Centre is all set to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the death of former Union minister Gopinath Munde.

In a letter to the Department of Training and Personnel (DoPT), which handles the CBI, the Union Home Ministry has recommended a CBI probe into the accident in the capital on June 3.

Sources said the CBI has agreed to take up the probe. A formal notification will be issued in a couple of days after which CBI will look into the FIR registered by Delhi Police.

Following conspiracy theories circulating about the accident, several leaders from Maharashtra had demanded a CBI probe to ascertain the sequence of events and the arrest of people involved, if there is any foul play.

The Home Ministry’s move came after Union Minister and prominent leader Nitin Gadkari, who is considered Munde’s rival in the party, met Home Minister Rajnath Singh along with Maharashtra BJP chief Devendra Fadnavis to press for the demand.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar is also understood to have written a letter to the government demanding a CBI probe into the incident to bring out the “facts” and assuage the feelings of the BJP leader’s supporters.

The first to raise questions about the accident was Maharashtra BJP spokesperson Avdoot Bhave. Munde’s daughter Pankaja Palve, an MLA, has also supported demands for such a probe into the incident.

“It is Maharashtra’s public opinion that Munde’s death be probed by CBI,” Fadnavis said.In Mumbai, Leader of the Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly Eknath Khadse said in a statement that they have got assurance from the Union Home Minister regarding the CBI probe.

“This morning, Rajnath Singh telephoned me and discussed last week’s accident which claimed Munde’s life and said CBI would conduct a probe into it. The Union Minister told me that official orders in this connection would be issued in three to four days,” he was quoted as saying.

Munde met with an accident when he was on his way to Indira Gandhi International Airport on June 3. His car was hit by another vehicle at Prithviraj Road-Tughlak Road roundabout in the heart of the capital.

He died due to shock and haemorrhage following injuries to his neck and liver. Delhi Police had registered a case against 32-year-old driver Gurvinder Singh whose car hit Munde’s vehicle.