Panel Probing Police Killing Of Rape, Murder Accused Gets 3rd Extension

Four men accused of the rape and murder of a 26-year-old woman on November 27 were shot dead by Cyberabad Police in December 2019

The Supreme Court has given a six-month extension to a judicial panel probing the death of four men accused of the gangrape and murder of a veterinarian near Telangana's Cyberabad in November 2019. The four were shot dead by police in December that year, reportedly as they tried to escape from custody after being taken to the scene of the crime for forensic reconstructions.The court told the panel this would be the final extension, since two have already been granted. "Why is this matter going on and on... it is not a big matter," Chief Justice NV Ramana asked, to which the lawyer for the panel said examination of witnesses had been delayed by the pandemic. "Is it necessary to question 130 witnesses?" an unconvinced Chief Justice responded, pointing out that a report into the killing of gangster Vikas Dubey - in a gunfight with Uttar Pradesh Police in July last year - was filed within a year despite the Covid situation.