CBI given time to present supplementary charge-sheet
In a major hearing in the Prince murder case, it was expected that the CBI will present its supplementary charge-sheet in the case. However, the premier investigating agency sought more time from the court and highlighted that various aspects in the case still need to be investigated.
Two senior officials from the management namely Francis Thomas, the regional head and Jeyus Thomas who headed the human resources department in the Ryan school were also present during the hearing on Tuesday. They will again reappear on May 14. The two have been charged under Section-75 of the Juvenile Justice Act. If convicted under this Act, they can be sentenced to a maximum punishment of 10 years.
The bench headed by Judge Jasveer Kundu heard the four petitions that were filed by accused Bholu's father. Among the major petitions, one related to the question whether the 17-year-old should be tried as an adult or a juvenile. Last year on December 20, the Juvenile Justice Board gave the judgement that the class-xi students will be tried as an adult. The order was significant as it now ensures that the class-xi student if convicted will not serve the terms of punishment for three years as a juvenile.
However, if found guilty, he will also not be given extreme quantum of punishments like imprisonment or being hanged to death as Section-21 of the juvenile justice acts prevents the law from doing so. As per the new law that was passed by Parliament in January 2016, the juvenile if convicted can serve maximum of 10 to 15 years behind bars. The next hearing in the case has been slated for April 13.
Ever since the shocking incident of Prince being murdered brutally in the washroom of the school came to fore, the case has witnessed various twist and turns. Initially, the Gurugram police arrested a conductor, Ashok Kumar, in the case and gave the theory that he slit the throat of classii student after he was unable to sexually exploit him. Not impressed by the Gurugram police claims, the family of the 7-year-old continued to be persistent and demanded for a CBI probe. After constant pressure, the government finally relented and allowed the CBI to take over the case.
Even after the CBI taking over the case, the controversy did not end and the legal team of Barun Thakur protested after the school was allowed to open before the CBI taking over the case. The shocking claims, however, came after the CBI charged a juvenile for the murder of Prince and gave the theory that the act was committed so that the exams and subsequently the parent teacher meeting are postponed.