Chennai: Madras high court on Wednesday refused to transfer the probe into the child rape case involving granite baron R Veeramani to CBI.“The special investigation team (SIT) was formed four days ago. They do not have a crystal ball or magic wand to get the evidence they need with a wave of their hands,” said Justice V Lakshminarayanan, adding that the SIT must be given at least some breathing time.He said the case should not be used for publicity since children, particularly from the Scheduled Caste community, are involved.The judge was hearing a plea moved by YouTuber R Varaaki seeking a CBI probe into the case. He directed the petitioner to appear before the SIT and share the evidence he claims to have on the involvement of five officials in the cover-up of the crime.Responding, state public prosecutor R John Sathyan said that any person was at liberty to approach the SIT if they had materials in connection with the case. The court was informed that deputy commissioner of police V V Geethanjali has opted out of the SIT and that she had been replaced with deputy commissioner V Geetha.According to the petitioner, considering the allegations of illegal gratification received by police officers to close the case in the earlier instance, the probe must be transferred to CBI. “An independent investigation is, therefore, necessary to ascertain whether there was any financial consideration, undue pecuniary advantage, inducement, influence or other extraneous factor connected with the investigation or attempt to close the case,” he said.
