Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jul 24: As per reliable information, the government is moving towards withdrawing case registered against a personnel of Anti Naxal Force (ANF) relating to shooting down of a person near Tanikodu checkpost in Chikkamagaluru district near Sringeri last year. It may be recalled that this incident, in which an alleged illegal cattle trafficker named Kabeer was killed, and Hindu organizations had protested against filing of case against ANF personnel and sanctioning of sizeable compensation to Kabeer's family, had given rise to lot of debate and mud-slinging.

The ANF personnel had said that after a vehicle sped away without stopping at the said check post even after it was told to stop there during the night, firing was resorted to, believing the fleeing people to be naxals. It is said that the Crime Investigation Department (CID), which conducted investigation into the incident, has clarified that it does not have any objection if the government decides to withdraw a case it had registered against ANF personnel, Naveen Naik. In all likelihood, a final decision on the issue will be taken at the next cabinet meeting.

Kabeer from Mangaluru had died during the said firing. While BJP and Hindu outfits had strongly come in support of ANF action, Congress and other pro-minority organizations had demanded for stern action against ANF. The investigation was finally handed over to CID, which even arrested Naik and slapped a case of murder on him.

CID has since taken a stand that Tanikodu check post had been frequented by naxals in the past, and the area had also witnessed firing by naxals in 2006 and 2013. It was therefore but natural for ANF personnel to believe that those running away from them under the cover of darkness were naxals, it has concluded. Hence, the firing on Kabeer, who was fleeing, was a legal act by a person deployed on duty, and it was not a purposeful act of murder, CID has reasoned. Moreover, the service record of Naveen Naik was found to be impeccable, and he had even won the President's award.

The issue had snowballed into a big controversy after the deputy commissioner of Chikkamagaluru district dithered in the matter of confirming that the incident was legitimate. As politicians and other organizations jumped into the fray and cast allegations against each other, and the government announced compensation to the family of Kabeer's, the issue turned murkier and dragged on, it is generally felt.

Case Recall:

• Mangalore: Three months since Kabeer's death, CID probe sees no progress
• Mangalore: Kabeer's killing a joint operation by Sangh Parivar, ANF: KKSV
• M'lore: Kabeer case - HC grants bail to ANF trooper Naveen Naik
• Mangalore: DYFI protests against Kabeer’s killing
• ANF constable shot at Kabeer while he tried to flee: Probe
• Mangalore: Congress government creating 'Sant Kabeer': VHP
• Udupi: BJP demands withdrawal of murder case against ANF trooper
• 'Why no poll code when giving compensation to Kabeer's kin'
• Mangalore: Govt should give Rs 25 lac as compensation to Kabeer's kin - Bava
• Mangalore: Kabeer killing - Murder case booked against ANF trooper 
• Mangalore: Do not bring politics and religion into Kabeer case - Nalin Kumar
• Mangalore: Will award Rs one lac to ANF trooper who killed Kabeer - Pranavananda Swami
• M'lore: Govt urged to give compensation of Rs 10 lac to Kabeer's kin: Ivan
• Karkala: ANF firing - Driver was convicted of murder attempt on cop
• Bangalore: No CBI probe into killing of Kabeer by ANF: Home minister
• Mangalore: Cattle trade turning into battle in district
• Mangalore: Miscreants throw cow dung on KKSV president's face, one caught
• Mangalore: Kabeer case - HJV demands withdrawal of compensation
• Kabeer's killing: BJP resents compensation, CID probe
• Mangalore: Ramanath Rai assures immediate probe in Kabeer’s killing
• Bangalore: Kisan Ket Mazdoor Congress condemns Kabeer’s Killing
• B'lore: KKSV condemns Kabeer killing; Bajarang Dal attacks Kabeer’s kin
• Udupi : VHP, BD condemn Kabeer killing, demand Bava's resignation
• Mangalore: State govt should hand over Kabeer’s Killing to CBI - Poojary 
• Mangalore: Muslim organizations demand CBI probe into Kabeer’s death 
• Mangalore: U T Khadar, DC visit Kabeer's family, assure detailed probe 
• Mangalore: Police hand-in-glove with Bajrang Dal, RSS: PFI
• ANF killing: Mistaken identity or fake encounter?
• Mistaken identity : ANF guns down cattle trader, SDPI, PFI condemn killing