MHA defends NIA probe into Rudresh murder case

‘Decision taken based on credible information’

The Union government on Wednesday defended before the High Court of Karnataka its action of handing over the probe into the murder of Rudresh, a member of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The decision to entrust the investigation to the NIA was based on “credible information” gathered independently as well as material collected regarding committing of certain scheduled offences by the accused, argued Prabhuling K. Navadgi, Additional Solicitor General of India (High Court of Karnataka), while appearing for the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

It was also contended that the case involves issues related to national security as well as unity and integrity of the country, and hence the NIA was required to take over the probe.

Senior Counsel C.H. Jadhav, representing the NIA, has contended that the accused had no right to chose the investigation agency, while citing several verdicts of the apex court in this regard.

It was also claimed by NIA counsel that the handing over of the probe to the NIA does not wipe out the investigation done by the local police before the case was handed over to the agency.

Asim Shariff, district president of Popular Front of India in Bengaluru city, who is one the four accused, had questioned invoking provisions of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act against him and the

suo motu decision of the MHA to hand over the probe to the NIA.

Rudresh was hacked to death in Shivajinagar in October last year.

Hearing adjourned

Justice John Michael Cunha adjourned further hearing till Thursday.