Azad encounter case: CBI files case against AP police

Based on allegations of a false encounter made in writ petitions filed in the Supreme Court, by social activist Swami Agnivesh and Bineeta Pandey (wife of Pandey) who had sought a judicial probe and following directions from the apex court, a case was registered yesterday against the AP Police officials, CBI’s Joint Director and Head of Hyderabad Zone V V Lakshmi Narayana said today.

The case was registered against the Asifabad Circle Inspector, Thandur Police Station Sub-Inspector, Reserve Sub-Inspector in the AR Head Quarters at Bellampally, Civil and AR Special Party Police Officers and others under section 120-B r/w 302 of IPC and an investigation has been taken up, he said.

According to the Andhra Pradesh police, CPI (Maoist) Central Committee member and spokesperson Cherukuri Rajkumar alias Azad and journalist Hemachandra Pandey, who was with him were killed in an exchange of fire in the forest of Asifabad in Adilabad district on the intervening night of July 1 and 2, 2010. Earlier, a group of rights activists led by Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan had earlier alleged that Azad and Pandey were killed in a fake encounter.

Representing the petitioners (Swami Agnivesh and Bineeta), Prashant Bhushan during arguments in the Supreme Court had also insisted on a CBI probe claiming that post-mortem and forensic reports confirmed that Azad and Pandey were shot from a close range.