CBI Probe 'Not Full Proof', Must Determine If There Was Any Conspiracy: Kerala HC Orders Further Investigation Into Violinist Balabhaskar’s Death

“ In view of the above discussion, this Court is of the view that the investigation conducted by the CBI has not been full proof and the circumstances arising in the case need to be probed further…..”

The Court further directed that investigation has to be completed, preferably within a period of three months, to identify if there was any conspiracy behind the accident of Balabhaskar which led to his death.

“The officers are directed to investigate the said crime further especially to identify whether there was any conspiracy or connection between the activities of gold smuggling and the accident on 25/09/2018 and the consequent death of Balabhaskar,” Court ordered.

The above directions came in the criminal revision petitions filed by the father and one Soby George, a witness in the case. Violinist Bhalabhaskar and his family met with a car accident on September 25, 2018 while returning from a temple. His daughter died on the spot and Balabhaskar succumbed to his injuries on October 2 that year. When the parents opposed to the Police report concluding the incident to be a mere road accident, the probe was was handed over to CBI on July 27, 2020, which filed a final report in January 2021.

CBI has booked the car's driver Arjun for rash and negligent driving but has ruled out any external influence to cause planned homicide. The pleas said CBI did not conduct investigation into the allegations of gold smuggling and the involvement of the deceased Violinist's manager Prakash Thampi, in the alleged accident.

Advocate T M Raman Kartha appeared for the revision petitioners and Senior Counsel Dr. K.P Satheesan appeared as the Special Prosecutor for the CBI.

Case title: K.C. Unni v Central Bureau Of Investigation, Soby George v Central Bureau Of Investigation,

Case number: Crl.Rev.Pet 608/ 2022, Crl.Rev.Pet 268/ 2023