07, Oct 2009

SIT forced to submit police records in Gulberg Case, phone records of 3 accused missing (October 7, 2009) – Press Release by CJP 
Despite finally producing the missing evidence after being directed by a special Court, the SIT’s dossier still doesn’t account for all the evidence.  The mobile phone records of all three accused, Madan Chawal, Prahlad Raju and Mangilal Jain caught making filthy confessions by Ashish Khaitan of Tehelka(in a previously mentioned sting operation) were again reported by SIT to be ‘missing.’ The reason given was varying statements by mobile telephone companies like  BSNL etc that ‘they did not preserve mobile phone records beyond six months to one year.

Furthermore, the press release mentions the lack of thorough investigation by the SIT. This can be seen as the statement of Ashish Khaitan was recorded by SIT on January 18, 2009 and again on March 12, 2009. However, no efforts were made by SIT to interrogate the three Gulberg accused on whom Ashish Khaitan had conducted a sting operation nor claim their mobile phone records of the relevant time. Moreover, despite citing him as a Prosecution witness no efforts had been made by SIT to acquire the equipment used by Khaitan for the investigation or speak to his senior in Tehelka magazine. In short no efforts were made to authenticate Khaitan’s evidence.

Credit: Sabrangindia https://sabrangindia.in/indepth/gulberg-massacre-tortuous-journey-justice?page=3