HC tells CS to oversee woman’s death probe

By S A Ishaqui

Hyderabad,July 8: The Andhra Pradesh High Court has directed the Chief Secretary to personally monitor the probe into the brutal killing of a sportswoman Sophy Thomas at Guntakal in Anantapur district in 2002. This is said to be the first time in the recent past that the High Court passed an order directing the Chief Secretary to personally monitor a criminal case investigation.

Justice C.V. Nagarjuna Reddy, dealing with a petition filed by parents of the victim, expressed dissatisfaction over the police investigation.

The judge observed: “I am of the prima facie opinion that there is laxity in the investigation.” The court directed the Chief Secretary to personally look into the case and take necessary measures to ensure that the persons involved in the murder are identified and brought to book. The court also directed the CS to file his personal affidavit on this and also explain the steps taken by him to fix accountability and responsibility for any possible laxity on the part of police administration in not effectively investigating the crime.

The judge observed: “A prime facie perusal of the investigation report reveals that the investigation officer did not take the necessary care in identifying the culprits.” “Though the petitioners in their representation to the President of India pointed out as many as five suspects including Zacharaiah and Sanjeev, the report does not contain the two names among those whose statements were recorded,” the judge said.

The court directed the CS to submit his counter affidavit by August 4. Sophy Thomas who was an athlete and native of Pathanamthitta district in Kerala, was recruited in South Western Railway, Guntakal division, under sports quota in 2001 and was residing at the working women’s dormitory in Arvinda Nagar of Guntakal town. She was found dead in the dormitory with multiple stab injuries on December 31, 2002.

As the police failed to trace the killers of their daughter, Mr V.C. Thomas and Ms Shobhana Thomas, parents of the victim, knocked on all possible doors to get justice. They also appealed to the President. They filed a petition in the High Court in 2007.