Pradyuman murder: CBI threatened to shoot family, alleges juvenile's father
The father of the juvenile accused of the murder of seven-year-old Pradyuman Thakur maintains his son is innocent but confessed only because CBI tortured and threatened him. "CBI officers threatened to shoot his entire family if he didn't confess to the murder," his father has now alleged. This comes a day after the juvenile himself, for the first time, claimed he is being framed.
The 16YO's name suddenly came up two months later
Pradyuman was found with his throat slit in a washroom of Gurgaon's Ryan International School on September 8. Two months later, the CBI arrested a Class XI student of the school for the crime. Till then, all fingers had been pointing at a school bus conductor, who too had alleged he was framed by cops. CBI also accused Gurgaon Police of "missing/misinterpreting" vital clues.
Juvenile could reportedly tell the truth only to the CPO
CBI revealed details about how he committed the murder, but when the 16-year-old met a child protection officer (CPO), he denied the allegations and said he had confessed under torture. "The youngster looked calm. I told him, 'I am a child protection officer. Please tell me anything without fear.' He said, 'I haven't murdered anyone, I'm being framed'," the CPO said.
16YO not allowed to meet juvenile justice board members?
The CPO added the CBI hadn't let any juvenile justice board (JJB) member be present during his investigation. "I have no idea if it's normal procedure." Even she got only 15 minutes with the boy. She will now submit a report to the JJB.
Will reach out to PM if needed, juvenile's father says
The CBI has dismissed reports of torture. "CBI doesn't use such methods on anyone." But his father says he has been detained "without evidence" and that he's had to wear the same clothes for a week. "I will take up this matter with everyone, including the PM," he said. He maintains his son was the one to alert the school, not commit the murder.
Was there pressure to keep CBI away from the case?
Meanwhile, Varun Thakur, Pradyuman's father, claimed they had been urged by a minister not to ask for a CBI enquiry. "Haryana Minister Rao Narbir Singh came to us and asked not to insist on CBI enquiry as it will take time, and trust police probe," he said. However, they insisted on it. The case was transferred to CBI two weeks after the murder.
