CBI to complete probe into Shukkoor murder case within a month: SC

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has instructed the CBI to complete the investigation into the Ariyil Shukkoor murder case and submit the final report within one month.

The division bench directive came while considering the petition by CPM leader P Jayarajan and first accused Prakashan, questioning the CBI enquiry into the case. The bench also informed that the case will be heard from 17 September.

The CBI was asked by the court to submit its report to the court within a month.

Meanwhile, Jayarajan’s counsel told the court that the CBI officials were harassing them in the name of investigation and hence the trial of the case might be completed soon.

During the hearing, Advocate Sadrul Anaam submitted that the senior counsel for Shukkoor's family who was supposed to be present, was appearing in the Sabarimala case before a constitutional bench and so the case may be deferred to another date.

In the meantime, the CBI lawyers submitted that their additional report was ready and placed a copy of the same before the two judges in a sealed envelope. The judges who read the document, said that the CBI investigation could continue and issued an order that the report should be submitted within a month.

Senior advocate Haren P Raval, who represented the government, requested the court to provide him with a copy of CBI report that was submitted in the court in a sealed cover. But Justice Joseph Kurien clarified that the report would be first examined by judges and, if it is necessary, it would be handed over to the government.

The Youth League leader from Pattuvam in Kannur, Ariyil Abdul Shukkoor was murdered on 20 February 2012.