HC notice to Centre, State on CBI probe in Marad massacre

Kochi, Jun 27 (UNI) The Kerala High Court today issued notices to the Centre and the State Government on a petition seeking a CBI investigation into the Marad massacre in May, 2003, in which nine people were killed.

A Division Bench comprising Justices K S Radhakrishnan and Antony Dominique issued the notices on a petition filed by one Shymala from Marad, who lost her two sons in the massacre, which took place on May two, 2003.

The petitioner contended that a Judicial Commission of inquiry, appointed by the State Government, in its final report submitted in February, 2006, had found that there was a ''larger conspiracy involving Muslim fundamentalists, terrorists and other forces in the massacre at Maradu Beach on May two, 2003.'' Ms Shyamala submitted that the Commission had recommended a multi-agency probe by CBI Officers, Centeral Intelligence Bureau and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence to investigate into the conspiracy and fix liablility.

Contending that the Commission findings were considered and accepted by the State Government, she said the State referred the matter to the Central Department of Personnel and Training to order a CBI inquiry into aspects, which were not investigated earlier.

The Central Government had failed to order a CBI inquiry, hence the petitioner moved the High Court.

UNI