New Delhi, Aug 3: The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted an extension of six months to the Justice VS Sirpurkar-led inquiry Commission into the 2019 encounter killing of four men accused in the gangrape and murder of a veterinarian in Hyderabad.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana, however, asked the Commission’s lawyer, advocate K Parameshwar, the need to take so much time to complete the inquiry.
“Why is this matter going on and on. This can be done in three-four months. Is it necessary to enquire 130-140 witnesses,” the top court asked.
The bench, also comprising Justice Surya Kant, referred to a similar panel, set up to inquire into the encounter killing of gangster Vikas Dubey in Uttar Pradesh, and said it has already filed the report.
In July last year, the Commission had taken a similar extension of six months. A second extension was given in January last.
On November 27, 2019, a veterinarian was abducted, sexually assaulted and later found murdered in Hyderabad.
Four men – Mohammed Areef, Jollu Shiva, Jollu Naveen and Chintakunta Chennakeshavulu – were arrested on November 29 in connection with the case.
On December 6, the four accused were shot dead in an encounter on NH-44 near Hyderabad – the same highway where the body of the 27-year-old veterinarian was found.
