BANGALORE: High Court Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen, commenting on Lokayukta officer R K Dutta’s report on the March 2 violence at City Civil Court Complex, said it may order a CBI probe if the police cannot conduct a free and fair investigation into the incident.
Advocate General S Vijay Shankar stated that the government has appointed Pranab Mohanty (IGP and Joint Commissioner of Police - Crimes (West), Bangalore) for further investigation.
Mohanty has seven years experience in CBI and is an efficient officer, he informed.
Counsel for the petitioners Uday Holla stated that more than 170 complaints have been registered against the media and police, but no action has been taken.
He alleged that the police have destroyed evidence on the premises on March 2.
No cases were registered for loss of property and on March 3, no evidences were left on the spot.
The cases registered by the police are all biased, he contended.
“It is clear that the police are in hand-in-glove with anti-social elements.
As the police themselves are involved in the offences, they are making every attempt to destroy the evidences and cause injustice to the victims,” he argued.
Advocate General Shankar replied that the police first took the mahazar (declaration) and left the spot.
“Evidences have not been destroyed.
The owners of the vehicles, which were burnt during the violence, can claim insurance.
The government will also help in whatever way it can,” he contended.
Hearing the petition, the division bench headed by Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen observed, “We don’t want court proceedings to be stopped again.
The investigations should be free and fair and if investigation reports are not satisfactory, the court may order a CBI probe.” The bench adjourned the case to March 29.