Supreme Court Refuses To Entertain PIL Seeking CBI Probe Into Death Of Kalikho Pul, Ex-Arunachal CM

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a Public Interest Litigation(PIL) petition which sought CBI investigation into the unnatural death of Kalikho Pul, former Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, in August 2016.

The PIL was filed by an NGO named "Social Vigilance Team".

A bench comprising Justices UU Lalit, KM Joseph and Indira Banerjee allowed the petitioner to withdraw the petition to seek other remedies as are open in law.

When the matter was taken, Justice Lalit pointed out to Senior Advocate Siddhartha Dave, the counsel for the petitioner, that the widow of Kalikho Pul had approached the Supreme Court in 2017, and that matter was withdrawn with liberty to approach the President of India with a representation.

"Earlier, the wife of the man had approached us. I recollect that I was part of the bench which Justice Goel was presiding. That matter was withdrawn with the understanding that the President will be approached as several names were mentioned in the letter(alleged suicide note left by Pul)".

Justice Lalit asked what happened after the President was approached.

Mr.Dave replied that nothing happened.

Justice Lalit then pointed out that the PIL has been filed by a complete stranger, who has no connection with Pul.

"You are not claiming that you have any connection or relation with him. You are a complete stranger. How can we entertain this PIL in a criminal matter under Article 32?Either you withdraw it or we will say we are not entertaining it".

Following that, the petition was withdrawn.

Kalikho Pul had become the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh in February 2016 with the help of rebel Congress leaders and the BJP. However, in July 2016, Pul had to step down as Chief Minister after the Supreme Court ruled that the decision of Arunchal Pradesh Governor to dissolve the assembly in December 2015 was illegal and void.

On August 9, 2016, Pul was found dead in his home. As per reports, he allegedly killed himself. He also left an alleged suicide note, incriminating several prominent persons holding constitutional posts.

In February 2017, the Supreme Court heard a letter petition sent by Kalikho Pul's wife seeking enquiry on the basis of the allegations in his suicide note. Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for Pul's wife Dangwimsai Pul objected to the Court hearing the letter petition on its judicial side and asserted that it should be considered on the administrative side for in-house probe as certain judges were also allegedly named in the suicide letter.

The petition was later withdrawn with liberty to approach the President.

Kalikho Pul's son Shubanso Pul was found dead in his UK residence in February 2020.