Manjunath murder case: Court summons BSNL GM on Dec 8

Lakhimpur Kheri, Nov 25 (UNI) The district court today summoned local Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) General Manager on December 8 in connection with the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) sales officer V Manjunath murder case.

The hearing continued for the second day in the court of district judge S M A Abdi.

The then Gola police station in-charge and investigating officer Pramod Kumar Shukla appeared before the court as a prosecution witness.

He was quizzed by the defence counsel and when the questions progressively pertained to mobile phone calls, the court summoned the Lakhimpur Kheri district GM on the next date of hearing.

In his statement yesterday, Mr Shukla reiterated that he had recovered mobile phone and empty cartridges from Hargaon in the neighbouring Sitapur district.

Earlier, he had told the court that Manjunath was eliminated under a well-hatched conspiracy.

Several other witnesses have turned hostile in the case.

Manjunath's bullet riddled body was found in Sitapur on November 19, 2005.

The Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow (IIM-L) alumni was an upright government servant and had taken a tough stand against adulteration of fuel at some petrol outlets in Kheri. Most of the prime accused have been arrested and are in jail.

UNI XC/VS LL BD1904