Satisfied with action on Chikkamagaluru incident; HC disposes suo-motu petition

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The High Court of Karnataka on Wednesday disposed of the suo-motu petition on the assault on an advocate by police officers in Chikkamagaluru after finding the action taken by the State in this regard to be ‘satisfactory.'

The division bench of the HC headed by Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale rejected the contention of the Advocates Association Bengaluru (AAB) for directions to the CID over the enquiry, stating that investigating agencies should be allowed to do their job independently.

The AAB had sought the arrest of the six police officers who are accused of the assault and a timeline for the completion of the investigation.

Vivek Subba Reddy, the president of AAB argued that the CID was taking the help of the local police in the investigation and since the local police are themselves accused, the investigation would not be impartial.

Therefore, he demanded that the HC issue a direction to the CID in this regard. The HC however refused to indulge the request, saying courts cannot direct how the investigation should be done.

Advocate Preetham was stopped by the police on Market Road, Chikkamagaluru for riding a bike without a helmet. Following an argument, he was taken to the police station, where he was allegedly beaten up.

After protests by advocates, a case was registered against six policemen. The investigation was then handed over to the CID.