SC To Hear Plea Against Encounter Of Hyderabad Rape-Murder Case Accused; Petitioners Allege Cover-Up Of Police Lapses

The Supreme Court on Monday (9 December) agreed to hear a petition against Telangana Encounter on Wednesday.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde said it will also examine what is being monitored by Telangana High Court. The petition filed by two lawyers on Saturday has sought registration of FIR against cops and an independent probe into the matter, where four accused, in the rape and murder of the Veterinarian doctor in Hyderabad, allegedly killed in an encounter.

Petitioners G S Mani and Pradeep Kumar Yadav sought directions for the registration of an FIR and then an investigation by the CBI, the SIT, the CID or team of police officials from other state to conduct the probe into the encounter.

The petition urged the apex court that the independent investigation agency must be directed in accordance with the guidelines laid down in fake encounter killings.

The petition alleged that the encounter was stage-managed to shield the alleged lapses committed by the police, which led to the commission of the gruesome offence of rape and murder.

The second petition filed by advocate Manohar Lal Sharma, which is yet to be listed in the court, said that the killing of four arrested persons in police custody was allegedly committed due to the political demand, and media trial raising hue and cry seeking immediate execution of the accused, without a trial, which is a serious violation of Article 21.

"It's a serious injury to the constitutional systems and endanger further life & liberty to the citizens of India", said Sharma in the petition.

A 25-year-old veterinary doctor was raped, killed, and burnt allegedly by the four accused on Hyderabad-Bengaluru National Highway 44 in the wee hours of 28 November morning. Her charred body was found in the limits of Shadnagar police station. She was working as an assistant veterinary doctor in a hospital at Nawabpet near Kollur and residing in Shamshabad.

(With inputs from IANS)