In Brief
Pooja Pal, widow of slain MLA Raju Pal, sought investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into her husband's murder in January 2005. The High Court dismissed her writ petition, suggesting she pursue remedies under trial procedure. The Supreme Court allowed her appeal, directing CBI to undertake de novo investigation. The court found that while charge-sheets were filed and trial was pending, exceptional circumstances including allegations of investigative deficiency, witness intimidation, and possible state complicity warranted fresh investigation by an independent agency. The court emphasized that fair investigation is fundamental to fair trial and that the cause of justice must prevail over procedural timelines.
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