‘Quiz Patil for murder before she’s made Prez’

Rajni Patil accuses presidential nominee of derailing CBI probe

Six days prior to the presidential elections, Jalgaon resident Rajni Patil moved the Bombay High Court urging it to direct the CBI to interrogate Pratibha Patil in a case relating to the murder of her husband Vishram Patil, allegedly at the instance of Pratibha’s brother Dr GN Patil.

The petition contends that the CBI took over the enquiry in February after the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay HC transferred the probe to it. Rajni has alleged inaction on part of CBI, as the Rajasthan governor  was trying to protect her brother using political clout. Rajni’s plea alleged that Vishram, President of Jalgaon Congress (I) Committee,  was stabbed to death by two unknown assailants on September 21, 2005.
Subsequently, two persons, Raju Mali and Raju Sonavane were arrested by the Jalgaon police. The petition says that in an interview given to a news channel, Mali had confessed that GN Patil and Congressman Ulhas Patil had masterminded the murder. Vishram, who had also defeated GN Patil in party presidential polls, had brought to the notice of party top brass the misappropriation of tsunami funds for which GN Patil was responsible. However, the police failed to take any action.

The plea adds, “It’s obvious that the probe is being subverted by Pratibha’s influence.” It urges her interrogation before July 19 — the day of presidential polls — for if she wins she will get ‘presidential immunity’.

However, Additional Solicitor General BA Desai appearing for CBI said they had recorded GN Patil’s statements  and visited Jalgaon to record Rajni’s. The CBI will submit an affidavit stating the steps taken in the probe in the next hearing. The court, however, did not seem too pleased with the CBI effort.

Desai added that this was a move to mar the success of the presidential candidate. Jethmalani, however, said that saying this would be trivialising a widow's grief. Talking to media persons outside the court, Rajni said, “I get justice only if all parties are honest will. It is a now or never situation for me.”

Justice RMS Khandeparkar and Justice VK Tahilramani will hear the case on July 17.