: A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Thursday pulled up the police for the delay in filing a final report in a case relating to the murder of Atheeque Rehman at Kuniyil, near Areekode, in Malappuram district. Justice P. Ubaid warned that it would be forced to summon the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) if a proper and satisfactory explanation was not filed. The judge made the observation when a petition filed by Karuvangadan Mukthar alias Muthu and 18 other accused in the Kuniyil double-murder case came up for hearing. The double- murder was a sequel to the Atheeque Rehman murder. The accused wanted the court to stay all further proceedings in the Kuniyil twin murder case till the charge sheet in the Atheeque murder case had been filed. They also pointed out that there was considerable delay in filing the final report in the case. However, they did file a charge sheet in the Kuniyil double murder case.
The investigating officer who appeared before the court submitted that a factual report was submitted to ADGP Anantha Krishnan. The court said the senior officer would have to explain the delay as the crime involving murder charge had been under investigation for more than three years. Referring to the police’s plea for more time to file a final report, the court observed that this was unjustifiable. The court asked the ADGP to file a report before July 2. — Special Correspondent