PTI | Hyderabad | Jun 02, 2011
Maoist ideologue Varavara Rao today demanded that Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan, state Home Minister P Sabita Indra Reddy and former Director General of Police be booked on charges of criminal conspiracy in connection with alleged fake encounter killing of Maoist leader Azad and journalist Hemchandra Pandey. In a representation made in this regard to Joint Director and Head of Hyderabad Zone (CBI), V V Lakshmi Narayana, Rao accused Narasimhan, Reddy and the then DGP and the then Adilabad district Superintendent of Police of trying to prejudice the probe procedure as well as interfering in evidence in the encounter case through their statements (last year) saying the encounter was genuine.
The Supreme Court ordered a CBI probe into the matter after the charge of a false encounter was made by social activist Swami Agnivesh and Pandey's wife Bineeta.
CBI (Hyderabad Zone) had on May 19 registered a criminal case on charges of criminal conspiracy and murder against AP police officials.
According to Andhra Pradesh police, CPI (Maoist) Central Committee member Cherukuri Rajkumar alias Azad and journalist Hemachandra Pandey were killed in an exchange of fire with police at Asifabad in Adilabad district on the intervening night of July 1 and 2, 2010.
"The Governor, who does not need to comment on the case, along with Reddy, indulged in misinformation in an attempt to influence the investigation process, prejudice the investigating officials and tamper with evidence in the encounter matter," Rao alleged and wanted CBI to register their names in the accused list for criminal conspiracy.
Jun 02, 2011
