CID begins probe into Maoist leader Kishenji's death

New Delhi, Nov 26: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of West Bengal on Saturday (today) started a probe into the allegations that top Maoist leader Mallojula Koteshwar Rao alias Kishenji was killed by the security forces in a staged shootout.

Earlier, Maoist ideologue P. Varavara Rao had claimed that Kishenji was killed in a 'staged encounter' after being tortured in custody.

"Yes, a probe has been initiated. Whenever any high-profile criminal is killed in an encounter, such allegations do come up. So, we will investigate all the angles to find out if there is any truth behind the allegations," said Deputy Inspector General (CID) K Jayaraman.

The number 3 man in Maoist hierarchy, Koteshwar Rao alias Kishenji was killed in an encounter by the joint forces operating in Borishol forest in West Midnapore district of West Bengal bordering Jharkhand on Nov 24. However, search for another top leader, Suchitra Mahato is still on. The search operation was launched on Nov 23 following an intelligence report that Kishenji and others were hiding in Purulia district of West Bengal.

OneIndia News