CBI Probe Ordered into Advocate Naushad Kashimji Murder Case

Bangalore - 15 July 2011 (PTI): The Karnataka High Court today ordered a CBI probe into the murder of Mangalore-based human rights advocate Naushad Kashimji. Justice Mohan Shantangowder ordered the probe after hearing a petition seeking a CBI probe into the murder and the alleged involvement of four police officers in the two-year old case. Naushad, who was shot dead outside his apartment in Mangalore on Apr 09, 2009, was allegedly warned by four police officers as he was appearing in court defending the alleged aide of Chota Shakeel, Rasheed Malbari.

Naushad's senior, Purushottam Pujary, had lodged a complaint with Pandeshwar police station accusing the hand of four police officers in the killing of Naushad the same evening after he was allegedly warned by the officers on April 9, 2010. When the probe did not make headway, the wife of the accused filed a writ petition seeking a CBI probe into the matter. When the matter came up for hearing, the State Government submitted that the CID is already probing into the matter. However, the petitioner submitted that since there is involvement of four police officers, she wanted the investigation to be conducted by an independent agency like the CBI.

Justice Mohan Shantangowder, who heard the matter, directed the matter be referred to CBI for further investigation.