Moose Wala death case: SC refuses to entertain plea to transfer case to CBI

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain Punjab BJP leader Jagjit Singh's plea seeking to transfer the investigation in the Sidhu Moose Wala murder case to the CBI.

A bench of justices Ajay Rastogi and Abhay S. Oka also remarked that such matters should not be given any political colour and they don't appreciate such practice. However, the Court also remarked that the court has to work openly for all the people.

Meanwhile, the Court adjourned to July 18 hearing on another plea of accused Lawrence Bishnoi's father challenging the transit remand to Punjab police and asked the Punjab state to file a reply on the plea.

Senior Advocate Vikram Chaudhri, appeared for the father of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi while senior advocate AM Singhvi appeared for Punjab.

On June 14, the Patiala House Court of Delhi allowed Punjab Police to arrest Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi in connection with Singer Sidhu Moosewala murder case and also allowed Punjab Police transit application. The court also directed Punjab Police to ensure that the medical examination of accused Lawrence Bishnoi be conducted as per law/rules before leaving Delhi and also before his production before the concerned Court of CJM, Mansa, Punjab.

The Delhi court, while allowing Punjab Police applications, had earlier said, "The applicant Investigation Officer/SP Dharamveer Singh and the investigating agency were directed to take all the appropriate measures for safety and security of the accused Lawrence Bishnoi during transit till production of the accused Lawrence Bishnoi before the concerned Court at Mansa, Punjab."

According to the petition filed by Punjab Police in the city court that Lawrence Bishnoi is a key conspirator of singer Sidhu Moose Wala. Punjab Police further submitted that during the investigation of the Sidhu Moose Wala murder case, the confession statements of the arrested accused were recorded wherein it was clearly pointed out that Lawrence Bishnoi had tasked the co-accused to carry out the "planned killing of Sidhu Moose Wala.

Sidhu Moose Wala was shot dead by assailants in Jawaharke village of Punjab's Mansa district on May 29. The incident took place a day after his security was withdrawn by the Punjab police among 424 others. Notably, the singer had joined the Congress party last year in December ahead of the Assembly elections.