Now Reading: Kerala High Court orders fresh CBI probe into Balabhaskar death
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Kerala High Court orders fresh CBI probe into Balabhaskar death
The Kerala High Court on Friday, 9 October, ordered further investigation into the 2018 death of violinist Balabhaskar, directing the CBI to entrust the probe to an officer of proven integrity, not below the rank of Additional Superintendent of Police.
Justice G. Girish, hearing a plea by the musician's parents, said the previous further investigation by a CBI Inspector was 'casual and lackadaisical' and a 'damage control' exercise. The court noted a 2022 judgment had flagged 20 suspicious circumstances, but the inspector, lower in rank than his predecessor, repeated earlier findings and accepted witness statements as 'gospel truth'.
The court also said the probe violated Section 173(8) of the CrPC. LiveLaw reports the accident occurred on 25 September 2018, Balabhaskar's daughter died on the spot and he succumbed a week later. The Indian Express notes the CBI's new investigation report was challenged by the parents.
The court found the inspector failed to conduct brain mapping and lie detector tests on Kalabhavan Soby George, who had claimed to see gold smugglers attack the vehicle.
The further investigation will now be conducted by a superior officer.
Indian Opinion Analysis
LiveLaw and The Indian Express both report the Kerala High Court's order as a rebuke of the CBI, but they frame the rebuke differently. LiveLaw leads with the court's finding of a 'casual and lackadaisical' investigation and details the procedural violations, while The Indian Express emphasises the court's 'damage control' characterisation and the failure to conduct lie detector tests. Neither outlet adopts a pro-government or critical stance toward the government, both present the court's observations as neutral reporting. The coverage is uniform in substance, though The Indian Express provides more background on the accident and the gold smuggling angle. The court's directive for a superior officer to take over the probe is the concrete next step in both accounts.
Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral
Sources (2): livelaw.in (neutral report), indianexpress.com (neutral report)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Methodology and corrections.
