The special crime branch of the CBI probing the Hari Masjid firing incident is unlikely to submit its report to the Bombay High Court within the six months stipulated by the court. The High Court had on December 18,2008,directed the CBI to register an offence to investigate into the case and file a report within six months. But the agency is unlikely to conclude its investigations in time. The report is due before June 18,but CBI sources say it may be submitted in August only. The complainant and witnesses are being examined. We are also going through certain documents, a CBI official said. CBI had in February filed an FIR in the case against the then police sub-inspector Nikhil Kapse,who was held guilty of unjustified firing and inhuman and brutal behaviour by the Srikrishna Commission. A division bench of Justice F I Rebello and Justice R S Mohite had earlier ordered the CBI to register the case and investigate the case without getting influenced by the Srikrishna Commission findings. The court had then slammed the state for the STFs one-sided investigation,besides the Central government and the CBI for their reluctance in conducting a CBI probe. The court had observed that this is a case that affects the very soul of India and held that the matter should be investigated for the rule of law to survive. It also observed that the probe was in the interest of the public and was needed to restore faith of every section of the society in the system. The case pertains to death of seven persons in police firing at Hari Masjid mosque during the 1992-93 communal riots. Farooq Mapkar who was chargesheeted for murder and rioting in 1992-93,had urged the court to initiate action against Kapse. Mapkar,who survived a bullet injury during the firing,has been fighting a lone battle even after the acquittal of 24 other accused in the case. Mapkars trial was separated after he raised objections during trial. He was acquitted of all charges by the city civil and sessions court earlier this year. When contacted,Mapkar said he had no idea about the progress made in the investigation after the FIR was filed by the CBI. After filing the FIR,they have not called me in connection with the investigation, Mapkar said.
