HC directs CFSL to issue report to CBI in custodial death case

Madurai: Madras high court on Thursday directed the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), New Delhi, to issue its report to the CBI within three weeks, for the investigating agency to file the final report in connection with the custodial death of temple security guard B Ajith Kumar and a connected jewel theft case in Thiruppuvanam in Sivaganga district.A division bench of justice Anita Sumanth and justice C Kumarappan observed that by order dated Sept 24, the court granted six weeks to the CBI to complete the investigation and file the final report. There was no compliance, and the CBI is in breach of the court's conditions, the judges observed.The judges took note of the submission of the special public prosecutor seeking a final opportunity, stating that the CBI was unable to file the final report as it awaits reports from the CFSL, New Delhi. The special public prosecutor, however, submitted that the report from the CFSL, Hyderabad, was received.In order to ensure timelines are not further breached, the judges suo motu impleaded the director of CFSL, New Delhi, as a respondent in the case. The court was hearing a batch of public interest litigations seeking a CBI probe into the custodial death incident.