The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice on a plea seeking transfer of investigation into the 2023 murder of Salman Khan, driver of a Congress leader in Madhya Pradesh, amid allegations of political interference and police inaction.

A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh passed the order while hearing submissions from Advocate Varun Thakur, appearing for the petitioner.

The writ petition has been filed by Rajiya Ali, widow of the deceased, who has sought transfer of investigation from the Madhya Pradesh Police to either a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). She has also requested protection for herself and her family, alleging they are being pressured to withdraw from the case.

The FIR in the case was registered under Sections 302, 307, 147, 149, 294, and 506 of the IPC, naming 18 accused persons. The complaint alleged that the murder was orchestrated at the behest of Arvind Pateriya, who subsequently won as a BJP MLA.

The petitioner claims that despite the passage of over one and a half years, the investigation remains incomplete, and none of the accused have been arrested. It is alleged that the police are acting in collusion with the accused, given their political clout.

According to the plea, the deceased Salman Khan was employed as a driver by Kunwar Vikram Singh, a Congress candidate who had contested against accused Arvind Pateriya in the Assembly elections.

On the day of the incident, Khan and others were heading towards a location where they had allegedly received information that Pateriya and his supporters were distributing money to villagers. Their vehicle was obstructed by cattle on the road. When Khan stepped down to clear the path, the accused allegedly arrived and ran a car over him.

Another person, Shivam, who tried to rescue Khan, also sustained injuries. Following the incident, Pateriya won the election, and the petitioner contends that the case has been stalled despite repeated representations to authorities.

Supreme Court’s Intervention

Taking note of the grievance, the Supreme Court has now issued notice to the respondents, including the Union of India, on the prayer for an independent probe. The matter is likely to be taken up after responses are filed.

Case Title: Rajiya Ali v. Union of India & Ors., W.P.(Crl.) No. 364/2025