Punjab HC Rejects State Govt's Request For Sitting Judge To Probe Moose Wala's Murder

The Punjab High Court told the government that it cannot spare a judge to probe Sidhu Moose Wala's murder.

Sidhu Moosewala was shot dead by unknow assailants on May 29.

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The Punjab government’s request for a sitting judge to probe Sidhu Moose Wala’s murder has not been accepted by the high court, reported news agency PTI. The state government Monday had announced setting up a judicial commission headed by a sitting HC judge after Moose Wala's father Balkaur Singh had made a request in this regard. The HC told the government that it cannot spare a judge, and the same has been conveyed to the government. The high court is short of 38 judges while 4.50 lakh cases are pending. 

There hasn’t been any immediate reaction from the government. 

Singer Moose Wala was shot dead by unknown assailants on May 29, which has caused a stir in Punjab. According to the autopsy, his body bore 19 bullet wounds.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had visited Moose Wala's home in Mansa on Friday, assuring the slain singer's family that his killers would soon be behind bars.

On May 30, Punjab's Principal Secretary (Home) Anurag Verma in a letter to HC Registrar General, wrote that the government is very concerned about this serious incident and would like to get to the root of the cause to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.

"I have been directed to convey the request of the Hon'ble Chief Minister for the Hon'ble Chief Justice, Punjab and Haryana High Court to conduct an enquiry headed by a sitting judge of the Hon'ble Punjab and Haryana High court in this regard," he said according to PTI. 

Moose Wala’s family have written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking a probe into the brutal murder by central agencies. According to PTI.