Andhra Pradesh seeks High Court nod for reinvestigation

Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh State government has informed the High Court at Hyderabad that only the higher courts have the power to order for a reinvestigation into a murder case. It requested the Court to pass appropriate orders with regard to reinvestigating BPharmacy student Ayesha Meera’s sensational murder case.

Principal Secretary for Home A R Anuradha filed a counter affidavit stating this before the division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice J Uma Devi on Thursday.

The bench was hearing a Public Interest Litigation petition filed by Osmania University retired Professor Rama Melkote, journalist K Sajaya and social activist V Sandhya Rani who underlined the need for reinvestigation into the sensational murder case after the High Court verdict declaring the convict P Satyam Babu as innocent in the case.

Ayesha Meera’s parents also filed a separate petition seeking a CBI probe into the murder case or reinvestigation under the supervision of the High Court. Both petitions have been clubbed and are being heard together.

The bench after perusing the counter affidavit directed the counsel for the petitioners, Vasudha Nagaraj, to advance her arguments on Monday in this regard.

It is stated in the counter affidavit that the Supreme Court had made it clear that only the Constitutional courts have the power to order for reinvestigation into a murder case. Keeping this in mind, the Court may pass appropriate orders, it was pleaded. The bench adjourned the case to Monday.

By Legal Correspondent