Pandher's son seeks transfer of case to Delhi

New Delhi, Feb 19: Karan Deep Singh Pandher, son of the main accused Moninder Singh Pandher in Nithari human skeleton case, today moved the Supreme Court seeking transfer of the case from Ghaziabad to Delhi.

The petitioner has sort the transfer of the case of the grounds that in a charged atmosphere, no lawyer in Ghaziabad or Noida was ready to defend his father as the district Bar Association has passed a resolution that no lawyer will appear for Pandher and his servant Surender Koli.

The petitioner has also contended that there was serious threat to the life of his father, as he was the victim of murderous attack by Ghaziabad lawyers during his production in the court on January 25.

Deputy Superintendent of Police R M Singh, Ghaziabad, who was incharge of the security during the court proceedings, has since been placed under suspension. During the last two years, about 38 children were found missing from Nithari village in Noida but no action was taken against the culprits against whom several complaints were filed.

Several police officers, including the then SSP, Noida have also been suspended and the present SSP of the district has been shifted to Lucknow.

The recovery of bones from the drain (nullah) adjacent to Pandher's home in Noida had led to widespread public outcry against the brutal crime and the investigation was transferred to CBI when the families of the victims alleged that the role of the local police was suspect.

The petitioner has also pleaded that the free and fair investigation and trial was not possible in Ghaziabad, and hence, it will be in the interest of justice to transfer the trial to Delhi.

The petition is likely to come up for hearing next week.

UNI