KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Monday quashed the final report filed by the Payyoli police in the Manoj murder case, before the Kozhikode Additional District and Sessions Court.
Earlier, the High Court had ordered a CBI inquiry into the murder of BJP activist Payyoli Manoj, after the state police failed to conduct a proper investigation.
Manoj, a local leader of the BJP and an autorickshaw driver by profession, was hacked to death on the night of February 12, 2012, allegedly by a group of CPM activists. While allowing the petition seeking CBI probe, the court had directed the state government to provide all the facilities the CBI might demand for carrying out the investigation, including the necessary protection.
The state government on Monday submitted it had extended all assistance the CBI demanded during conduct of the investigation.
A petitioner who sought CBI inquiry pointed out that the Payyoli circle inspector who investigated the case had interfered with the investigation, and threatened the witnesses of dire consequences if they deviated from their previous statements.
The court observed that since the state had risen to the occasion and transferred the CI, there was was no room for any apprehension for the petitioner. “Let the CBI file its final report in the case, after completing the investigation,” held the court.