VIJAYAWADA: The state government, it appears, is being impaled on the horns of dilemma over whether it should file an appeal on the HC judgment acquitting P Satyam Babu in Ayesha Meera murder case or reopen the case.
CM N Chandrababu Naidu is learnt to be seized of by the issue, but has not taken any decision as the Director General of Police N Sambasiva Rao is abroad.
As the DGP will not be back until April 10, the state government has referred the issue to the Legal Department.
“We have sought legal opinion on the HC verdict and its recommendation that the officers who handled the investigation be identified by the apex committee for taking departmental action against them. The state is all for justice to Ayesha’s parents and we are contemplating how to go about it,” Deputy CM N China Rajappa said on Friday.
According to sources, the government is treading the path cautiously since the victim belongs to a minority community. In fact, Naidu, who was in the Opposition when the crime was committed, led an agitation, demanding the government bring the real culprits to book.
Those in the government, according to sources, are debating how the minority community would react if the government goes in for an appeal as such an action would only send a message that it was more interested in protecting the image of police department than caring for hurt sentiments of Muslims.
When Ayesha’s mother Shamshad Begum called on the CM earlier in the day, he promised her justice and appreciated her indomitable spirit. He even took her phone number and promised to call her when he reviewed the case with the DGP.
“I have of late been very busy and I could not spend as much time as I should on the case. However, as soon as the DGP returns, I will call a meeting,” the CM is quoted as saying.
After making the representation, Shamshad Begum said: “As the court acquitted Satyam Babu, it is now the government’s turn to identify and arrest the real accused.” She alleged that the police inspection of the scene of offence was perfunctory raising a number doubts.
“The police even handed over her belongings like her dress, ornaments, books without lifting fingerprints from them as they were thrown helter skelter in her room,” she said. When she met Panchayat Raj Minister Nara Lokesh, he too promised justice for Ayesha.