KCR rejects demand for CBI probe into Nayeem gang activities

Hyderabad: The Telangana government on Monday rejected demand of Opposition parties for a CBI probe into the criminal activities of slain gangster Nayeem, saying, state police can conduct effective investigation into the matter.

Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao informed the Assembly that an "impartial and thorough inquiry" will be conducted by police as it is an efficient force. "Telangana Police came in for praise even from top functionaries of the Union Government," he said.

Rao was speaking during a discussion on ‘measures taken by the government against the criminal activities of Nayeem and his associates and to maintain law and order in the state’.

According to a statement by Rao on the matter, Nayeem gang has committed crimes in Telangana for past two-and-half decades. "The activities of the gang which started from Bhongir (near Nalgonda) gradually spread to the entire state," said the statement.

"Several innocent people became victims of the atrocities committed by this gang. Public were forced to live in fear. During the reign of the previous governments Nayeem continued his criminal activities without any hindrance," the statement said.

After several victims approached the government, it decided to check the criminal activities of the gang with an "iron hand", the statement said.

Nayeem was killed in an exchange of fire with police on August 8. "Police recovered one AK-47 rifle, one 9 mm pistol and ammunition from the crime spot," it said.

The government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the crimes committed by the gangster, it said. "On the complaints of victims, 174 cases were registered. Police examined 741 witnesses and arrested 124 suspects owing allegiance to the gang," it said.

"During the raids conducted across the State on the hideouts of Nayeem's gang, police seized 21 firearms, 21 cars, 26 motor-cycles and cash worth over Rs 2.95 crore," the statement said.

Police also seized documents of properties registered in the names of family and friends of Nayeem -- land to the extent of 1,015 acres, house sites to the extent of 1,67,000 sq yards, and 27 residential houses, it said.

The registered value of the properties seized is estimated to be Rs 143.94 crore. So far, the involvement of Nayeem's gang is established in 27 murder cases and their involvement is suspected in another 25 murder cases, the statement said.

"Chargesheets have been filed in 2 cases and another 15 chargesheets are ready to be filed in the competent Courts. As the extent of the criminal activities of the gang is spread all over the state, the investigation is still in progress," it said.

Speaking during the debate, Congress? T Jeevan Reddy and TDP’s S Venkata Veeraiah sought a CBI probe into the matter.

During the debate, the treasury benches and the Opposition members were also engaged in an exchange of words.