H. Nagappa

BANGALORE: The State Government has decided to seek an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the abduction of the former Minister H. Nagappa by the brigand Veerappan and his subsequent murder. Veerappan was shot dead in an encounter later.

The State Cabinet on Monday decided to request the Centre to order a CBI inquiry into the matter in accordance with the recommendations of the R.G. Vaidyanathan Commission of Inquiry constituted to look into Nagappa's death. The commission, in its report, said a CBI inquiry was needed because the issue concerns two States: Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Home Minister M.P. Prakash told presspersons here on Tuesday that the commission had recommended action against a Police Inspector, who did not act when Nagappa was kidnapped from his farmhouse in Chamarajanagar district in 2002. Mr. Prakash said the report pointed out that the Inspector had failed to intercept a private bus into which the bandit had bundled Nagappa despite seeing the vehicle pass by.

Nagappa's body with bullet injuries was found in the M.M. Hills area on December 8, 2002, and the then S.M. Krishna government set up the Commission of Inquiry.

The commission also suggested that the Government pay compensation to Nagappa's family, but did not indicate the amount. The Cabinet authorised Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy to take a decision on the amount of compensation to be paid to Parimala Nagappa, MLA and widow of Nagappa.

`Playing politics'

Bangalore Staff Reporter writes:

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly N. Dharam Singh has accused the Government of playing politics by deciding to order a CBI inquiry into Nagappa's death. Mr. Singh told presspersons here that it was the prerogative of the Government to refer any case to any investigating agency. The Congress had nothing to lose or gain and it had nothing to fear either, he said.

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