SC asks Centre for time-bound investigation of cases

The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the Centre for laying down guidelines for the CBI to complete investigation of cases in a time-bound manner.

A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna sought a reply from the Union government, the Central Vigilance Commission and the CBI on a PIL filed by advocate Maneesh Pathak.

The petitioner sought a status report on the cases pending before the premier investigation agency for more than five years.

"The number of pendency and delay in the investigation of several cases, including some high profile too by the CBI, affected the fundamental rights of the people as guaranteed by the Articles 14 (equality) and Article 21 (right to speedy justice) of the Constitution," the petition filed by advocate Pathak stated.

He claimed the delay in solving such long term pending cases hamper the free and fair justice delivery system to the common people.

The petitioner cited various news reports there are 850 cases under the CBI pending for the investigation to be completed and out of these 14 of which have been gathering dust for more than five years.