HC Orders SIT To Nab VIPs Involved With Nayeem

Reviewing the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by CPI leader K Narayana urging a CBI probe into the encounter of gangster Mohammed Nayeemuddin, the High Court today said that a second probe could not be launched without the conclusion of the first, and asked the SIT to arrest major players involved with Nayeem.

The advocate defending the petition laid out the reasons why a CBI inquiry was essential to the case. As per reports, the defense lawyer stated that Nayeemuddin had set base in seven other States, and his activities were not restricted to land grabbing, murders and extortion. He was also involved in trading weapons to ultras, and hence it ought to be a national issue, the advocate said.

The jury however remained firm in its standing over the need for a CBI inquiry, and said that a central probe would be permitted only if the current SIT probe produced its results.

It also took into account the fact that the police department had, not long ago, assured the people and the Opposition that it would be making some arrests after Dussehra that was sure to shake the political fraternity; but no action, other than arresting Nayeem's minions, was taken so far.

The petition also claims that a certain Nalgonda MLA will be arrested for being involved with the slain gangster. But no such action to nab the MLA has been initiated yet.

Taking into account the facts and opinions presented, the Court gave the SIT three weeks to file a counter petition, and also ordered it to finish the investigation and nab VIP suspects without prejudice, as promised by the government.

The Court also said that if the SIT failed to make major arrests, the case would be transferred to the CBI.