Ex-Arunachal CM’s Suicide Note: Wife Withdraws Letter To Chief Justice, Seeks Non-Judicial Probe

Dangwimsai Pul, wife of late Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalikho Pul, on Thursday withdrew her letter to Chief Justice of India JS Khehar that demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the corruption charges levelled by her husband in his purported suicide note against public figures and members of the higher judiciary.

She has sought an “extraordinarily independent” probe into the matter, adding that no judges of the apex court must look into her husband's suicide letter.

Her lawyer, Dushyant Dave, said that they had written to the CJI to seek an independent investigation and they do not know how the matter was listed in front of a bench.

“Justice must appear to be done. A very wrong message will go out if the matter is decided judicially. I am not (commenting) on the merits of the letter but it calls for an extraordinarily independent investigation,” he said, adding that “we want to know from the registry how this was listed today (Thursday)”.

Pul had allegedly committed suicide in Itanagar on August 9 last year, leaving behind a 60-page signed note titled Mere Vichaar (my thoughts). According to two separate reports by The Quint, the suicide note contains the names of four of the highest authorities in India's legal fraternity who took and demanded bribes from the late Pul. It also contains the names of senior politicians of a particular party who also sought illegal financial gratification from the late chief minister.

Dangwimsai had written to the CJI, seeking a fair and impartial probe into the allegations letter by CBI or NIA (National Investigation Agency).

“I had given a petition on August 9 itself to the local police to file an FIR (First Information Report) soon after my husband's death. But Itanagar police ignored my petition. I want the help of the Supreme Court to begin the process of justice. I have demanded that the Supreme Court order the state police to get an FIR registered,” she told Indian Express on Wednesday.

In a response to the letter by Dangwimsai, CJI Khehar had decided on Wednesday that the Supreme Court would hear the complaint.

Dave, during the brief hearing in the apex court, said the letter they had written was to seek permission for registration of an FIR. He also added that since the letter has allegations against senior members of the judiciary, it should not be decided by them but by an independent inquiry.

The bench of Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel and Justice UU Lalit allowed for withdrawal of the application.

Dave also added that in case of contempt proceedings against Calcutta High Court's Justice CS Karnan, a seven-judge bench was set up, but in this case, which involves allegations against senior members of the judiciary, only a two-judge bench is hearing.