The Hindu : Naxal death: summons issued to ex-officers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 02, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

Naxal death: summons issued to ex-officers

By Our Staff Reporter

Kochi Jan.1. The Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate, S. Vijayakumar, on Wednesday issued summons to P. Vijayan, former DGP, K. Lakshmana, IG, and P. Ramachandran Nair, former CRPF constable in connection with the alleged gunning down of the Naxalite leader, A. Varghese, in Wayanad in 1970.

The Magistrate has ordered them to appear before the court on March 14. The CBI, which conducted the investigation into the case on a direction from the High Court, has chargesheeted Mr. Nair, Mr. Lakshmana and Mr. Vijayan before the magistrate under Section 302(murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The High Court had ordered registration of a crime on the basis of the counter-affidavit containing confessional statements by Mr. Nair in response to a writ petition filed by the Kochi-based Niyamavedi and others. The High Court while favouring police investigation which could lead to prosecution of the accused had observed that it would be embarrassing for the Kerala police to conduct an investigation into the death. That was why the court had ordered a CBI inquiry.

The CBI has discredited the official version put out during 1970s that the Naxalite leader, Varghese, was killed in an encounter with the police party. The CBI has concluded that he was shot dead by P.Ramachandran Nair, now retired CRPF constable, at the instance of the then Dy.SP, A Lakshmana, and P.Vijayan, then DIG, Northern Range. The conclusion was reached after examining 71 witnesses and 44 documents.

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