Disha Encounter Case: HC Slams Govt's Delaying Tactics

Hyderabad:The Telangana High Court on Wednesday faulted the state government for continuously seeking more time to submit its stand in the batch of petitions and PILs seeking action against police officers, who had participated in the killing of four accused in the Disha rape and murder case, in an alleged encounter.

The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice J. Sreenivas Rao, was dealing with the batch of petitions. On behalf of the petitioners, senior counsel Vrinda Grover concluded her arguments.

In her submissions, she pointed out the violations committed by the then Cyberabad police commissioner. She submitted that despite court guidelines prescribed in conducting press conferences regarding any crime or any incident, the commissioner had met the media and told them that the law has done its duty.

“Does the commissioner of police mean that they are the law,” Grover asked. It seems that he wants to convey that crime, conviction and execution of sentence was done by the police, Grover said.

She brought to the notice of the court that the then commissioner of police had agreed before the Justice Sirpurkar’s inquiry commission that some of the statements made before the media regarding the DNA report of Disha and recovery of items were given erroneously. “How could a person holding such position submit before the commission that they had made statements erroneously,” she wondered.

CBI counsel submitted their contentions that the investigation agency must obey court orders, if it orders for an inquiry.

Later, when Chief Justice Aradhe asked the government to commence its arguments, special counsel sought one more week. The CJ expressed displeasure and faulted the government for asking adjournments and made it clear that it has to submit its contentions on September 9.