Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Sep 12: The violent incidents of August 11 in which DJ Halli and KG Halli police stations were attacked, properties were vandalised, set on fire and vehicles were burnt down, the central government has decided to hand over the investigation to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Special public prosecutor representing NIA, P Prasannakumar, provided this information to the high court on Friday September 11. He also stated that official order in this respect will be issued in a couple of days.

This information was provided to a high court bench comprising Chief Justice, A S Oka, which is hearing public interest litigations filed by advocates N P Amrutesh and Girish Bhardwaj, seeking to hand over the probe to NIA. As soon as the petitions came up for hearing, he said that the probe under the two cases registered under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) have been decided to be handed over to the NIA. He added that he has received oral communication in this regard and official order will reach in a couple of days. He also sought a week's time to submit copy of the official order.

Advocate general Prabhulinga Navadagi, arguing on behalf of the government, informed that the additional chief secretary in home department had written to the centre on September 1 seeking to bring both the cases under UAPA through email. He submitted the investigation report on the probe conducted so far to the bench. The bench observed that the investigation is still in the preliminary stage, and asked progress report to be submitted during the next hearing. The case is now posted to September 21.

Advocate Sridhar Prabhu, appearing for the petitioners, wanted the central government to be made one of the defendants in the case and to uphold the interim report submitted for the same. The court agreed to the request.