In a surprising move the state Criminal Investigative Department (CID), on May 22 recommended the Khawaja Yunus case to any ‘independent’ investigative agency probably referring to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), excusing itself from the probe into the alleged involvement of 14 police officers into the ‘murder’ of Khawaja Yunus.
The Maharashtra Police had arrested Khawaja Yunus in connection with the Ghatkopar Bomb Blast 2002, in which according to the reports, two persons were killed and 50 others injured. Khawaja Yunus was a gulf-based NRI software engineer who died in police custody in January 2003 because of the alleged brutal torture. As far as the mysterious death of Yunus is concerned 14 police officers are suspected to be involved in his custodial murder. The state CID sought permission from the state government to proceed with the case against all the suspected police officers, but the state government gave permission to go ahead with the case only against the four officers, including Sachin Vijay. In a letter to the state government and the Director General of Police of Maharashtra, the CID has clearly stated that this case should be handed over to any ‘independent’ investigative agency, so that the suspected police officers who are said to have high connections, may not influence the investigative process.