Justice has been delayed on the CK
Pradhan murder case as the court proceedings have been dragged on even
after 12 years of the incident taking place. Pradhan’s family still
awaits justice and hopes it will be delivered one day.
The case itself started after nine years
on December 12, 2012 at the Jalpaiguri Session Court, but despite the
delay Pradhan’s family had seen a ray of hope for justice. However, the
court has not been able to take note of all the witnesses as it is
summoning them individually. There are 41 witnesses in the murder case
and many of them are yet to be questioned by the court.
Pradhan’s elder brother, Col. DK
Pradhan, today questioned the working procedure of the court for
dragging the case. “Now even the common people have forgotten about my
brother’s murder and we two are slowly losing hope on getting justice
from the court,” he lamented. He further informed the family had also
appealed to the state and central government for support. “Despite all
these the session court is still unable to give a verdict,” he added.
“Like all political assassinations are
politicised, this case too has been politicised. This is the main reason
why the culprits are yet to be penalised,” he stated.
CK Pradhan was killed in broad daylight
on October 2 2012 allegedly by Niray Gurung and Daya Rai, who are still
absconding. “The duo could have also been murdered after they
accomplished the task of killing my brother. I am sure the mastermind is
still roaming free,” Col. Pradhan suspected.
CBI had conducted the investigation on
the murder case for five years and had filed the charge sheet, following
which the court had started the proceedings. However, the witnesses are
not being able to visit the court repeatedly for questioning and in
their absence the judge is not being able to give a final verdict on the
case. The family members had also urged to shift the case from
Jalpaiguri Session Court to Kalimpong, anticipating a faster proceeding,
but the move did not materialise.
Col. Pradhan said the family will move
court if the session court is unable to give the verdict. “We will take
the case to High Court or Supreme Court if the case continues to get
delayed. But it will take time as it is a lengthy procedure and involves
a lot of money,” he added.(EOIC)