Explore other options to probe Lingaraju's murder: High Court

The High Court on Wednesday directed the State government to explore the possibility of handing over the probe into the murder of RTI activist Lingaraju to CID or form a special investigation team.

Hearing a suo motu petition, the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen and Justice B V Nagarathna directed the State government counsel to get instructions in this regard.

During the hearing of the petition, when the State Government counsel submitted that a public prosecutor had been appointed by the government to assist the Court in the matter, the bench was upset and questioned why counsel Hashmath Pasha was not considered for it, despite the Court’s suggestions.

“Why are you overreaching the Court? This is a serious matter, where an elected representative has been alleged of murdering a person,” the bench said.

No security provided

The Government counsel submitted that the counsel had refused to be the amicus curiae. Counsel Pasha, who was present before the Court, also said he did not want to be the amicus curiae as the matter might go on for a long time.

Pasha submitted that the murder of Lingaraju was planned way back in 2010 and despite writing to the chief minister and the police top brass, the victim was not provided security nor any complaint was lodged.

Noting that the activist was harassed and threatened, he pointed to the police version, which has appeared in a section of the media, that the activist wanted to extort money from the corporator and her husband.

‘Planting information’

The Division Bench, lashing out at the police for planting such information, sought suggestions from Pasha on whether the investigation could be handed over to an outside agency.

When Pasha suggested it could be either the CBI or CID, the bench directed the State government counsel to get information in this regard.