Citing the reason of being overburdened, the Central Bureau of Investigation has expressed its reluctance to take up the probe of attack on Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale. Yet, the investigation agency in its reply to the Punjab and Haryana High Court has said that it was ready to investigate the matter if the court orders.
In its reply to the High Court, CBI has said that Punjab police was competent to undertake the probe. Referring the State Police to be appropriate for the probe, CBI has said the State had several options to get the matter investigated.
Taking up the reply of the CBI, High Court on Friday asked Punjab and the petitioner to file their reply on it.
Dhadrianwale had moved High Court seeking CBI probe into the attack on him. In his petition, he had contended that the ruling Government and the local police were acting at the behest of Harnam Singh Dhumaa, who is a very close associate of the Shiromani Akali Dal. Finding faults with the police investigation, the petitioner had contended that the main conspirator was not even associated with the investigation.
The petition also mentioned that some people had turned inimical to Dhadrianwale, as in his religious preaching, he has been propagating a message to the people to stay away from the menace of drugs, alcohol and tobacco as per the teachings of the panth.
Dhadrianwale, before moving High Court had demanded the Punjab Government to shift the probe to CBI. Dhadrianwale and his cavalcade was attacked on May 17, in which his aide, Bhupinder Singh Khasi Kalan, was shot dead.