Unnao Case : SC Grants CBI Further Extension Of 2 Weeks To Complete Probe

The Supreme Court bench of Justices Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Bose on Friday granted CBI a further extension of 2 weeks to complete its probe into the road crash which left the Unnao rape survivor and her lawyer severely injured and killed two of her relatives.

Earlier on August 19, the CJI-led bench had granted two weeks extension over the 14 days time initially given to the agency to complete the probe.

The Court also perused the report submitted by the trial judge regarding the progress of the case, in which more time was sought. While transferring the trial of four cases related to Unnao rape to Delhi from Uttar Pradesh, the SC had asked the trial judge to give verdict within 45 days.

The Court on Friday said that whenever required, trial court can seek time; but trial must be conducted in a free and fair manner. No party should be acquitted on technical grounds, added the Court.

Since the rape survivor is now undergoing treatment at AIIMS hospital New Delhi, the trial judge had made a request for permission to set up a temporary court there in order to record her deposition. Regarding this request,the SC asked the Delhi High Court to take a decision.

It was on August 1 that the SC  transferred theUnnao cases to the Court of Delhi District Judge Dharmesh Sharma and ordered the completion of trial within 45 days.

The rape survivor, who was traveling from Unnao to Rae Bareli with two aunts and her lawyer met with a horrific accident on July 28. A speeding truck collided with their car and claimed the life of both her aunts while she and her lawyer continue to be in critical condition. The CBI has been investigating the possibility of conspiracy and foul play behind the road accident, as BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar is the prime accused in the 2017 rape case.