Clues team turned out to be clueless: SC panel

Commission has its reservations about responses by investigating officer

Commenting on investigating officer and DCP, Rachakonda SOT J. Surender Reddy’s answers during his deposition on Monday, the members of the Supreme Court-appointed commission to inquire into the Cyberabad police’s alleged encounter killings of the four accused in the rape and murder of Disha, a 27-year-old veterinarian, observed: “How can the witness be so dumb?”

The IO was examined again about the duration of the submitted video clippings, photographs and the procedure followed while recording the videos of the scene of occurrence at Chatanpally on December 6, 2019. Mr. Reddy was asked about the photographs and videography of the place from where Disha’s articles were recovered, empty cartridges lying on the ground, the place from where the accused allegedly ran away after snatching the pistols and police party had to open fire, and recordings during the collection of gunshot residue (GSR) from the hands of accused Mohammed Arif and Ch. Chennakeshavulu. The officer maintained ‘there are no such photos or videos of the articles being recovered and place from where the accused ran away’.

“If the IO is clueless about the clues, what can we do? Leave it for the influence of the commission,” the members said.