SC dismisses Karan Pandher's transfer petition

New Delhi, Mar 7 (UNI) The Supreme Court today dismissed a petition filed by Karan Deep Singh Pandher, son of main accused Moninder Singh Pandher in the Nithari rape and murder case, seeking transfer of his father's case from Ghaziabad court to a Delhi court.

A Bench comprising Justice B N Agarwal and Justice P P Naolekar dismissed the petition on the ground that the investigation by CBI was yet to be completed and it is premature to transfer the case at this stage.

Regarding the permission sought by the petitioner to meet his father, the apex court told him to approach the trial court.

The petitioner had earlier pleaded for transfer of the case on ground of the charged and hostile atmosphere against his father in Ghaziabad court where, no lawyer was prepared to defend him.

He had also cited the incident in which there was murderous assault on his father by lawyers during his appearance in the court at Ghaziabad.

The exposure of the rape and murder case of about 38 children belonging to Nithari village in Noida had led to public outcry against the heinous crime, allegedly perpetrated by Pandher and his servant Surender Koli and also led to the suspension and transfer of about half a dozen police officers including then SSP, Noida.

The investigation was later transferred from Noida police to the CBI and the confessional statement of Koli was recorded under Section 164 CrPc by a magistrate at Patiala House Courts here last week.

UNI