Senior Haryana cadre IPS officer Deepak Gahlawat, arrested in an alleged Rs 3 crore bribery case, was produced in a Delhi court on Thursday after the completion of his one-day CBI custody. The 2012-batch officer, currently on central deputation with the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), appeared before Special Judge Sushant Changotra around 4 pm.
CBI Seeks Extension of Custody
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sought an extension of his custody, arguing that it needed to unearth the larger conspiracy, ascertain the source of funds and its beneficiaries, and confront him with other co-accused individuals. The court is expected to pass its order shortly.
Earlier on Wednesday, the court had granted one day of custodial interrogation after the CBI requested five days. However, the judge also criticized the conduct of the CBI's investigating officer (IO) during the proceedings.
Judge Deprecates CBI Investigation Conduct
The judge noted that the IO had failed to make any effort to determine whether any public servant posted in the CBI had been approached by Gahlawat or if he had attempted to exert personal influence. The court remarked, "The answer to queries posed to the IO today makes it apparent that to date no effort has been made in the investigation as to whether any public servant who was posted in CBI was ever approached by accused Deepak Gahlawat or he had made any attempt to exercise his personal influence over such public servants."
The judge further stated, "The conduct of the IO in this respect and the responses given by him today are totally unfathomable." The court also questioned the IO's lack of effort in identifying any such public servant involved.
Background of the Case
Gahlawat, a 2012-batch IPS officer, was arrested in connection with an alleged bribery case involving Rs 3 crore. He is currently posted on central deputation with the BCAS. The CBI had sought custody to investigate the broader conspiracy and trace the flow of funds.
