Gurugram,
Standing by its investigations that have so far given bus conductor Ashok Kumar a clean chit in the Pradyuman murder case, the CBI on Thursday neither opposed nor completely supported his bail plea saying he held many an answer especially about botched-up probe of Gurugram police.

The court, which deferred hearing of this plea till November 20, asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a detailed reply elaborating the basis of bus conductor Ashok’s arrest.

Responding to the same, the agency clearly said its investigations till date had no evidence showing Kumar’s involvement in the murder. The statement refuted Gurugram police’s claims of not just arresting Kumar on basis of strong evidences but even submitting the same to CBI.

A 25-second video clipping was reportedly produced in court negating Gurugram police’s CCTV analysis. Gurugram police had insisted that the video clearly showed bus conductor Ashok Kumar walking out of school washroom after Pradyuman stumbled out.

The CBI, however, said the video showed more. The accused teen was also there and was seen coming out of the washroom moments after Pradyuman.

“So far, no incriminating evidence has been found regarding the involvement of Ashok Kumar in Pradyuman’s murder. In case any evidence about the involvement of Ashok Kumar comes forth during the ongoing investigation, appropriate action will be taken by CBI as per the law.

In view of the above facts and circumstances of the case, it is most humbly prayed that this Hon’ble court may kindly be pleased to pass an appropriate order on the bail application of Ashok Kumar as deemed fit and proper in the interest of justice,” read agency’s submission in court.

“Yes, we say that he is not murderer of Pradyuman but he is completely not off the case. We are not just investigating the murder but also what lead Gurugram police investigation haywire and then botched up arrest of Ashok Kumar. He was the first one to be suspected and then arrested with confession and sequential recreation of crime.

Now, he alleges that he was tortured and framed and he is the key to know how and what went wrong with Gurugram police investigation,” said a senior CBI official.

Ashok Kumar was arrested by the police within hours of the murder in Ryan International School on September 8. The police said he had confessed to the crime.

The conductor, according to the police, had said he tried to sexually assault Pradyuman and killed him when the boy resisted.