One year on, no headway in gangster Nayeem case

No high profile public figures whose names surfaced during investigation have so far been arrested

Hyderabad: It would be one year on Tuesday since Nayeem, the Maoist renegade and the most wanted gangster in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh was shot dead by the police in Shadnagar.

The killing of Nayeem and the subsequent developments had sent shock waves through the police and political corridors. It was alleged that several policemen and politicians were hand-in-glove with the gangster.

Even the name of Deputy Chairman of the Telangana State Legislative Council Nethi Vidyasagar Rao also surfaced. The police formed a special investigation team.

As many as five police officers who reportedly had links with Nayeem were suspended soon after the incident. Following the allegations of links of politicians including those from the ruling party, the Chief Minister had claimed that no one would be spared however powerful they may be.

But slowly the case faded into oblivion and no action had been taken against any of the high profile public figures whose names emerged during the course of investigation.

The police on Monday, however, denied the allegation that they had put the case on backburner and said that so far 227 cases were registered against Nayeem and his gang members in Telangana State. During investigation, the SIT arrested 128 persons. Further, SIT examined 895 witnesses in different cases.

In nine cases, the police said charge-sheets had been filed. In 22 cases investigation was completed and charge-sheets are being filed. They said in remaining cases the investigation is at final stage and would be completed soon.

The police said that 14 important gangsters of Nayeem were detained under Preventive Detention and five Police officers were suspended by the DGP. Remaining cases are under investigation and investigation would be completed soon.