The High Court has dismissed a petition filed by YSRCP MLC Anantha Babu, in which he sought to prevent the ongoing investigation of driver Subrahmanyam’s murder. The High Court also dismissed his application to stay the Rajahmundry SC/ST Court’s decision, which had initiated a new investigation in the matter. Anantha Babu, who challenged the ruling in the High Court, was reportedly stunned by the verdict.
In reaction to the case, the state government had previously established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the killing. The SIT is targeting those that may have helped Anantha Babu in committing the crime. The probe is to be completed in 90 days. The crime, dated May 2022, has Anantha Babu accused of murdering Subrahmanyam and disposing of the corpse; the police apparently acted ineffectively at the time, presumably due to the influence of former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. Political figures had previously vowed that justice would be done and the perpetrators would be punished legally.
The SC/ST Atrocities Court has instructed the SIT to conduct a thorough investigation and file a supplementary charge sheet within 90 days. The SIT has already set the ball rolling by interrogating the men who were accompanying Anantha Babu at the time of the incident. Under the ongoing probe, the team is also working to identify others who might have played a role in the crime.