SC moved to withdraw case against Gill’s bail

On January 17, the Supreme Court of India decided to withdraw the case against former Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Sumedh Singh Saini's bail in connection with the 1991 kidnapping and murder of senior police officer Balwant Singh Multani. The case was withdrawn after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) informed the court that it had no objections to Saini's bail.

The case against Saini, who was the chief of the Chandigarh police at the time of the incident, had been pending for almost three decades. Multani, who was a senior police officer in the state of Punjab, was abducted and murdered in 1991 while investigating police misconduct during the state's counter-insurgency operations in the 1980s and 1990s. Saini, along with other senior police officers, was accused of being involved in the abduction and murder.

The CBI, which is the country's premier investigating agency, had been investigating the case since 1995, but no charges were filed against Saini until 2018. In September 2018, Saini was arrested by the CBI in connection with the case and was granted bail in November of the same year. However, the bail was challenged by the CBI in the Supreme Court, which had stayed the bail order in December 2018.

The case had been pending before the Supreme Court for almost three years, with the CBI arguing that Saini should not be granted bail as he was a "powerful and influential person" who could influence the investigation and tamper with evidence. However, the CBI's stance changed after the agency reviewed the case and found that there was insufficient evidence to support its earlier arguments.

The CBI's decision to withdraw its objections to Saini's bail has been met with mixed reactions. Some have criticized the CBI for its handling of the case, arguing that the agency's decision not to file charges against Saini for almost three decades and then to withdraw its objections to his bail after such a long time is a sign of weakness and lack of commitment.

Others, however, have argued that the CBI's decision is a welcome development, as it will allow Saini to clear his name and prove his innocence. They also argue that the case has dragged on for too long, and that it is time for it to come to a close so that all parties can move on.

The case of Balwant Singh Multani is a tragic reminder of the human rights abuses that occurred during the counter-insurgency operations in Punjab in the 1980s and 1990s. It is important that the truth behind his murder is uncovered and that those responsible are held accountable. However, it is also important that the justice system moves swiftly and fairly, so that all parties can have closure.

The CBI's decision to withdraw its objections to Saini's bail is an important step in this process, as it allows the case to move forward without delay. It is now up to the court to decide whether or not to grant Saini bail and to determine whether or not there is enough evidence to proceed with the case.

Regardless of the outcome, it is crucial that the case is handled in a fair and transparent manner, and that all parties are given a fair opportunity to present their arguments. The victims and their families deserve nothing less.

In conclusion, the decision of the Supreme Court to withdraw the case against former Punjab Director General of Police Sumedh Singh Saini's bail in connection with the 1991 kidnapping and murder of senior police officer Balwant Singh Multani is a welcome development in a case that has been pending for almost three decades. The CBI's decision to withdraw its objections to Saini's bail allows the case to move forward without