EXCL: Full CBI application seeking custody of Pradyuman murder accused

In a massive development, Republic TV and Republic World have accessed the full copy of the CBI application to the Juvenile Justice Board, Gurugram, which sought police custody and custodial interrogation of the minor accused of murdering 7-year-old Pradyuman at the Ryan International School, Gurugram. This application was submitted by the Investigating Officer in the case, DSP Ajay Kumar Bassi on November 8, 2017.

Why this CBI application is sensational?

The CBI in its application writes clearly that the minor accused “has admitted his involvement in committing the murder of Master Pradhyuman Thakur on 08.09.2017”. This admission comes in the presence of the accused’s father, independent witnesses and a welfare officer of the CBI. While the date of admission is unclear, should this confession have been made in the presence of Haryana Police, it could bring massive ramifications for the Khattar government legally.

Why does the CBI want to conduct custodial interrogations of the accused student?

• The CBI wants to “ascertain and identify the shop from where the weapon used on the crime was procured by him”
• The CBI wants to “ascertain the details of other persons, if any, involved in the case”
• The CBI wants to understand the “sequence of events which led to the murder of Pradhyuman Thakur”
• The CBI wants “to reconstruct the scene of crime”
• The CBI wants “to unearth the conspiracy, if any, behind the crime”
• The CBI wants “to collect any other evidence related to the case”

The most stunning portion of this two-page application?

The CBI says custody of the accused should be granted “in the interest of justice” because the “case is very sensational” and “new facts and recovery” in the case are “very essential” which only reiterates the suspected buried muck in this murder case.

Was this CBI Application successful?

While the CBI requested for 6 days of custody, the Juvenile Justice Board has granted them 3 days custody.  The CBI will question the minor over these 3 days from 10 am to 6 pm, after which he will be sent to a Juvenile home.

The way ahead?

Post custodial interrogation of the minor, the CBI has the option of later approaching the Juvenile Justice Board asking to try him not as juvenile, but as an adult. According to the amended Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, juveniles between 16 and 18 accused of heinous crimes can be tried under the Indian Penal Code based on the juvenile court's assessment.

Read the full application here: