In Brief

The Supreme Court upheld a High Court order directing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the mysterious death of a realtor allegedly associated with a late Member of Parliament, after local police and a Special Investigation Team filed closure reports treating the death as suicide. Two groups of appellants—family members of the deceased MP and witnesses to a disputed will—challenged the transfer order, claiming prospective accused have no right to such challenge. The Court held that prospective accused have no statutory right to be heard when constitutional courts order investigation transfer to ensure fairness and credibility. The appellants' earlier withdrawal of their petition challenging FIR registration rendered that issue res judicata. The Court affirmed that constitutional courts may direct CBI investigation in exceptional circumstances involving bias, high-profile personalities, and duelling wills, to maintain public confidence in justice.

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