Mumbai/Nagpur: The Bombay High Court today dismissed a public interest litigation seeking appointment of a Commission of Inquiry to probe afresh the murder of Mahatma Gandhi in January 1948, and the conspiracy behind it.
A bench headed by Justice V M Kanade was of the opinion that it cannot hear a matter that had concluded long ago. “We are inclined to dismiss the petition…the writ jurisdiction of the high court cannot be exercised in a matter which has concluded long ago.
As a long time has lapsed, we cannot go into the issue now,” said the bench. The judges said they would give a reasoned order later for dismissing the petition.
The petitioner, Dr Pankaj Phadnis, arguing in person, said he had forensic evidence with him to justify a fresh probe into Gandhi’s killing. He also said that even Supreme Court was hearing the 150-year-old matter pertaining to precious ‘Kohinoor’ diamond in public interest.
On the same ground, the PIL, seeking new Commission to probe Gandhi’s death, should be heard by the HC.
Notably, All India Human Rights and Social Justice Front has filed a petition in the Supreme Court demanding that Kohinoor and other famous antiques, including the ring and sword of Tipu Sultan, should be returned to India by the United Kingdom.
