×
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Muzaffarpur case: HC issues gag order on media

Last Updated 24 August 2018, 05:50 IST

The Patna High Court has pulled up the CBI for its failure to submit an action-taken report (ATR) in connection with the probe into the Muzaffarpur shelter home rape case.

Expressing its displeasure, the HC bench of Chief Justice Mukesh Shah and Justice Ravi Ranjan wondered how the CBI SP was transferred within a month of taking over the investigation. The court also prohibited media coverage of the CBI investigation into the case and asked the CBI to submit an ATR on August 27 in a sealed cover.

“How come the print media and the electronic media get all the information related to the ongoing CBI investigation into the case,” wondered the court, adding that such reporting (by media) could hamper the probe. No news related to this case will be published or telecast henceforth, said the High Court.

The court had earlier this month agreed to the HC-monitored probe into the Muzaffarpur shelter home rape case in which more than 40 girls were sexually abused.

The High Court also expressed its displeasure over the transfer of CBI SP JP Mishra and appointment of Devendra Singh in his place. Mishra was transferred barely 48 hours before the CBI was scheduled to submit its action-taken report (in the Muzaffarpur case) to the HC.

“Why the CBI SP, who has been monitoring the case is transferred and another officer appointed,” asked the Chief Justice.

The Advocate General Lalit Kishore sought more time to submit the ATR but the court gave time till Monday.

Earlier, former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav too had questioned how the CBI SP was suddenly given marching orders in the midst of an investigation.

ADVERTISEMENT
(Published 24 August 2018, 05:50 IST)

Follow us on

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT