Medical and FSL reports ruled out any foul play
K.Koushal
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing multiple angles in connection with the case involving Sub-Inspector Mohd Bashir Malik, who went absconding after allegedly attempting to evade a trap laid against him in a bribery case, claimed highly placed sources.
According to credible sources, after escaping the initial trap, the absconding officer was reportedly given shelter at the residence of Pooja Devi, who is now deceased and whose case was under his investigation. Later, he was allegedly moved to another location (residence of a Transport Union President, namely Mohinder Singh) with the help of father and brother of the deceased and they stayed there for around 40 minutes.
Sources further claimed that the father namely Krishan Singh alias Kala and brother namely Kuldeep Choudhary of Pooja Devi played a role in relocating the officer to the Sidhra area (friend’s house of absconding SI) of Jammu. It is in this locality that CBI officials are said to have recovered the uniform belonging to the absconding Sub-Inspector, during a recent search operation.
Adding another layer to the investigation, sources said that on the same evening of the officer’s disappearance, a WhatsApp call was allegedly made by a serving Sub-Inspector from R.S. Pura Police Station to the brother of Pooja Devi. At the time of the call, the absconding officer was reportedly present at the family’s residence.
Sources further maintained that the CBI is continuing its investigation from all angles to determine the full extent of involvement of various individuals and whether any attempts were made to obstruct the course of justice.
It is pertinent to mention here that on April 28, Pooja Devi was taken to R S Pura Hospital by her husband, Kulvir Singh, in a car driven by Gurdyal Singh, a former sarpanch of Gharana panchayat and a cousin of Kulvir Singh.
Her condition deteriorated, and she passed away. Following her death, Pooja Devi’s father and other relatives accused her in-laws of poisoning her, prompting the police to initiate inquest proceedings. Sub-Inspector Mohammad Bashir Malik was appointed as the investigating officer for the case.
Medical and forensic science laboratory (FSL) reports later ruled out any foul play, finding no evidence of injuries or poison in Pooja Devi’s body.
Despite these findings, Malik proceeded to register a First Information Report (FIR) against Pooja Devi’s in-laws and Gurdyal Singh.
Following complaints from Gurdyal Singh’s family about Malik’s alleged extortion, the CBI conducted a preliminary investigation and decided to lay a trap to catch him red-handed. The operation took place at R S Pura Police Station, where Malik was stationed.
According to sources, CBI aimed to arrest Malik for demanding and accepting a ₹50,000 bribe. However, during the raid, Malik managed to escape. Reports suggested that a sudden power outage at the police station may have facilitated his getaway, with one source noting that “the light went out, and Malik disappeared with the money”.
