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| Chhokar murder: Lord Advocate orders new probe into 1998 killing | Chhokar murder: Lord Advocate orders new probe into 1998 killing |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Police have been instructed to carry out a new investigation into the unsolved murder of an Asian man in North Lanarkshire 13 years ago. | |
| Surjit Singh Chhokar was killed in Overtown on 4 November 1998. | Surjit Singh Chhokar was killed in Overtown on 4 November 1998. |
| Prosecutors failed to secure a conviction, despite the arrests of three men and two subsequent trials. | Prosecutors failed to secure a conviction, despite the arrests of three men and two subsequent trials. |
| The Crown Office has told Strathclyde Police to carry out a new investigation into the murder under double jeopardy legislation introduced last year. | The Crown Office has told Strathclyde Police to carry out a new investigation into the murder under double jeopardy legislation introduced last year. |
| Mr Chhokar's family were informed about the decision by Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland QC and the Solicitor General for Scotland, Lesley Thomson QC, at a meeting in Edinburgh on Thursday. | Mr Chhokar's family were informed about the decision by Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland QC and the Solicitor General for Scotland, Lesley Thomson QC, at a meeting in Edinburgh on Thursday. |
| Two inquiries were ordered in the aftermath of failed prosecutions over the Indian waiter's murder. One made allegations of "institutional racism". | Two inquiries were ordered in the aftermath of failed prosecutions over the Indian waiter's murder. One made allegations of "institutional racism". |
| 'Compelling evidence' | |
| Following the publication of the reports in 2001, the then Lord Advocate, Colin Boyd QC, said that the Chhokar family had been failed by the police and prosecution services. | Following the publication of the reports in 2001, the then Lord Advocate, Colin Boyd QC, said that the Chhokar family had been failed by the police and prosecution services. |
| Reform of Scotland's centuries-old double jeopardy law, which came into force at the end of last year, means the men originally accused of the murder could face a retrial. | Reform of Scotland's centuries-old double jeopardy law, which came into force at the end of last year, means the men originally accused of the murder could face a retrial. |
| Solicitor General Lesley Thomson said: "The prosecution service is committed to make use of the powers under the new double jeopardy legislation. | |
| "The Scottish Parliament, in passing the Act, has clearly stated that the passage of time since an acquittal should be no protection for those for whom there is new and compelling evidence of guilt. | |
| "We hope that our commitment to the new legislation will give reassurance to victims and their families." |