Special Investigation Team Formed to Investigate Hyderabad Encounter
The Wire Staff
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New Delhi: The Telangana government on Sunday formed an SIT headed by the Rachakonda police commissioner to "immediately begin" an investigation into the killing of the four accusd in the rape and murder case of a Hyderabad veterinarian.
According to reports, the team will be headed by Mahesh M. Bhagwat and will examine the evidence that has been gathered so far by the Cyberabad police. All cases related to the rape and murder case registered across the state will be investigated by the SIT.
A notification issued by chief secretary S.K. Joshi said the team consisted of seven other police officers. Telangana director general of police M. Mahender Reddy recommended the constitution of an SIT in a letter to the government.
The four accused were killed on November 6, when they were apparently taken to the scene for 'crime reconstruction'. The police said that after the accused seized weapons from the police, they were killed when policemen opened fire in self-defence.
The Telangana high court and the National Commission for Human Rights have taken cognizance of the killing. The post mortems of the accused will be conducted on Monday and will be videographed, as per the directions of the Telangana HC.
Also Read: As Hyderabad Encounter Questions Mount, HC Wants Video of Killed Suspects' Post-Mortems
The state government referred to the Supreme Court's guidelines, which said the investigation into encounter killings shall be entrusted to an independent investigation agency or police team of another police station under the supervision of a senior officer.
“The SIT will conduct the investigation into the death of -- Mohammed Arif, Jollu Shiva, Jollu Naveen and Ch. Chennakeshavulu -- and will recover and preserve the material evidence related to their death,” the notification said, according to The Hindu.
The investigation will identify witnesses and record the statements of those involved in the death of the four accused, including police personnel.
“The cause and circumstances leading to the death of the four persons should be ascertained with reasons and establish truth,” the notification said. The SIT's report will be submitted to a competent court of law on point of jurisdiction.
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