SC allows Kerala police to continue Shuhaib murder probe

Tuesday 01 May 2018 03:22 PM IST

by Our Correspondent

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SC allows Kerala police to continue Shuhaib murder probe

Shuhaib, who was Mattannur block president of the Youth Congress, was hacked by a gang around midnight on February 12 at Edayannur.

Kannur: The Supreme Court has ruled that an investigation by the Kerala Police into the gruesome murder of Youth Congress leader S P Shuhaib in Mattannur can continue. Rejecting a plea filed by Shuhaib's father C Muhammad seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the court asked the police to file its final report.

At the same time, it sent a notice to the state government in response to Muhammad's petition. The court, which viewed pictures of the murder, commented that those who carry out political murders are fools. Eleven CPM workers were arrested in the case and nine remain in remand.

Muhammad, in his plea, had prayed that a high court stay on a CBI probe be lifted as any delay in the entry of the central agency could lead to the destruction of evidence. He pointed out that the state police investigation was far from satisfactory.

Congress senior leader Kabil Sibal appeared for Muhammad, prompted by Kannur Congress leader K Sudhakaran.

A single bench of the high court had on March 7 ordered a CBI probe, pointing out that the accused persons had close links with CPM leaders. The state government appealed against the judgement and a division bench headed by chief justice Antony Dominic stayed the single bench order on March 14. As the hearing was put off until after the mid-summer vacation, Muhammad sought the apex court's help, arguing that a time lag of 45 days could affect the investigation.

Shuhaib, who was Mattannur block president of the Youth Congress, was hacked by a gang around midnight on February 12 at Edayannur. The police arrested 11 CPM activists, but two managed to get out on bail. The Congress has expressed lack of trust in the police though the investigators insist they will submit the charge-sheet within 90 days.

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