Sahni death: CBI probe move surprises many

LUCKNOW : The state government on Thursday sent a letter to the central government recommending a CBI probe into the mysterious death of ATS officer Rajesh Sahni in his office on Tuesday. A home department officer said the letter was sent to the department of personnel and training.

LUCKNOW: The state government on Thursday sent a letter to the central government recommending a CBI probe into the mysterious death of ATS officer Rajesh Sahni in his office on Tuesday.

A home department officer said the letter was sent to the department of personnel and training.

After a late evening meeting with principal secretary, Home, Arvind Kumar and DGP OP Singh on Wednesday chief minister Yogi Adityanath had directed officers to get Sahni’s death investigated by the CBI.

The urgency with which the state government ordered a CBI probe surprised many as neither Sahni’s family members nor the Provincial Police Services (PPS) Association demanded a CBI probe.

Even no FIR was registered in the alleged suicide case by the family members or by the ATS, though Sahni was found dead in his chamber located in the ATS office.

Earlier on Wednesday, the DGP had ordered an inquiry into the circumstances that could have driven Sahni to end his life. The inquiry was handed to additional director general (ADG), Lucknow Zone, Rajeev Krishna, who will probe the case till the time CBI takes over.

A senior police officer, who does not wished to be named, said the mystery shrouding Sahni’s death and simmering discontent among the PPS officers forced the state government to recommend a probe by the premier investigation agency.

Principal secretary, Home and DGP might have brought to light some ‘bigger facts’ associated with the mysterious death, compelling the CM to order a CBI probe, the officer said.

The police claim that Sahni committed suicide was challenged by some of his colleagues and family members.

Expressing disbelief at the police theory, they asked as to how an ‘upright, courageous and jovial person could take such extreme step’.

While some of his colleagues said some service matter could be the reason behind Sahni’s death, some believe personal reasons could have driven his to take the extreme step.

The fact that he visited office despite being on leave is also adding to the mystery.

Another police officer said that “to escape another embarrassment post-Unnao rape case and Karnataka cadre IAS officer Anurag Tewari’s death, the state government opted for CBI probe immediately.

In the Unnao rape case, the victim moved the Allahabad high court and Supreme Court for CBI probe, which the court ordered.

In the Tewari death case, too, the family members sought CBI, probe forcing the state government to recommend it.