Prayagraj: The Allahabad high court ordered inquiry against state police department , office of the director of prosecution and office of govt advocate over ‘ non-disclosure ’ of material facts and evidence in a case involving a mahant, who has been accused of secretly filming women while they were taking a bath. Expressing concern over prosecution’s failure to present key evidence as sought by the court, Justice Vikram D Chauhan emphasised that non-disclosure of material particulars and evidence from court amounted to interference with dispensation of justice. As per the high court order, the inquiry would be conducted by an officer not below the rank of principal secretary to be nominated by the chief secretary of P, who would look into the role of the police and prosecution in withholding vital information.
The court passed the order on Aug 23 while dealing with anticipatory bail filed by Mahant Mukesh Giri, who has been accused of recording a video of women while they were bathing. Earlier, at one stage, the court had on Jul 5, directed the state to file a counter-affidavit (reply) disclosing the evidence found during the investigation against the applicant. Pursuant to the court’s order, the state through an additional govt advocate, filed counter affidavit on Jul 15, but as per court, no evidence was annexed to the said affidavit, despite the court’s specific order in this regard.
The court in its order has directed to list this case on Sep 12, for the next he.