The Hindu : Kerala News : Probe team should trace the accused: VS

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Sunday, Nov 28, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Probe team should trace the accused: VS

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, NOV. 27 . The Leader of the Opposition, V.S. Achuthanandan, today said it was the responsibility of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to find out whether anyone from the CPI(M) or their relatives was involved in the Kiliroor-Kaviyoor sex racket case.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Achuthanandan said the investigation team headed by the Deputy Inspector General, Sreelekha, should look into it, collect facts and reveal to the public the names of those involved in the case and the identity of the VIP.

Mr. Achuthanandan said he did not know whether the CPI(M) Central Committee member, P.K. Sreemathy, had visited the victim to pressure her against divulging the names of CPI(M) leaders and their relatives. "I do not see anything wrong in Ms. Sreemathy visiting the victim in hospital. I have not asked her so far. I will ask her," he said in reply to a query.

`Bid to derail probe'

The Opposition leader alleged that the case had been handed over to the investigation team in order to shield powerful persons involved in it. The DIG who is looking after law and order in five districts has been given additional charge of the case. The other officers in the team are busy with routine law and order duties. This has affected the inquiry and its completion in a time-bound manner. This shows that the UDF Government wished to derail the probe, he alleged.

Mr. Achuthanandan said a senior police official like Siby Mathews, who inquired into the Suryanelli case and was instrumental in exposing all those involved, should have been given charge of investigations into the Kiliroor sex racket case.

He alleged that the Government did not want a speedy and effective probe into the sex racket case and it was only after the intervention of the High Court that the investigation team was set up.

On the decision of the State Government to ask the Centre to order a CBI inquiry into the case, Mr. Achuthanandan said it would be better if the case is investigated by officials who have expertise in handling such cases.

The Opposition leader said the attitude of the Government towards the Kozhikode ice-cream parlour case showed that it was pursuing the same policy as in the Killiroor-Kaviyoor case. The Director of Prosecution should have been allowed to appear in the High Court instead of the State Attorney. "The Chief Minister's attitude shows that he wants to derail the case."

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