Gandhiji's Great Grandson Opposes Plea For Re-investigation In Gandhi Murder Case

The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned for four weeks a plea seeking re-investigation into Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination after amicus curiae senior advocate Amrendra Sharan sought more time to inform the court about the legal position on the issue.

Opposing the plea, Tushar Gandhi, the great grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, had sought the court’s permission to intervene in the case.

Sharan, who was asked to assist the court earlier, told the bench headed by Justice SA Bobde that the National Archives of India has not yet provided the complete set of documents relating to trial of the accused in the assassination, for which more time is required.

Appearing for Tushar Gandhi, advocate Indira Jaising sought the court’s permission to file an intervention application if the court is inclined to issue notice in the case.

She questioned the locus of the petitioner and opposed the plea saying 70 years have passed and how could the case be reopened at this stage.

After hearing the parties, the court deferred the hearing for four weeks.

The court was hearing a PIL seeking re-investigation into assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in the light of some new evidence.

Petitioner Pankaj Kumud Chandra Phadnis in his plea said an organisation is behind the assassination and claimed that he had documents to substantiate his claim.

The petitioner, a PhD scholar in Universal Primary Education, sought to ascertain the veracity of the finding of the trial court and the High Court of Punjab that three bullets were fired by Godse from the gun whereas the material facts on record show that four bullets were fired and also to ascertain the correctness of several observations made by the Kapur Commission which were again contrary to the evidence available on record.

He also sought expunging of certain remarks derogatory to Marathi people in general and Veer Savarkar in particular by the Kapur Commission report and also sought the constitution of a new commission of inquiry to investigate the larger conspiracy behind the assassination.