Hyderabad encounter: Accused snatched weapons from police, says Sajjanar

The Cyberabad Police on Friday afternoon held a press conference to give details of the early-morning encounter in which the four accused in the rape and murder of a veterinarian were shot dead. Mohammad Arif, J. Naveen, J. Shiva and Chennakeshavulu were the accused persons.

Addressing mediapersons, Cyberabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar revealed that the four accused were interrogated on December 4 and 5 after they were taken into custody.

Sajjanar told mediapersons that the accused were taken to the spot about 50km from Hyderabad where they allegedly raped and murdered the veterinarian. Sajjanar said around 10 police personnel were accompanying the accused at the time.

"The accused attacked the police with sticks and then snatched the weapons from us and they started firing on police," said Sajjanar, adding Mohammad Arif, the main accused in the case, opened fire first.

Sajjanar claimed the police had warned the four accused to surrender, but they continued firing. "Then, we opened fire and they were killed in the encounter," Sajjanar said. Sajjanar said the shoot-out lasted around 10 minutes. He added a sub-inspector and constable were injured in the shoot-out and shifted to a local hospital. Giving details about the accused, Sajjanar said they were suspected of being involved in "many other cases" in Karnataka and investigations were continuing.

Responding to questions from mediapersons that doubts had been raised about the authenticity of the encounter, Sajjanar said, "I can only say that law has done its duty". He also said the Cyberabad Police were ready to answer to whoever had taken cognisance when asked about the NHRC taking note of the encounter. The NHRC has said it would send a team to probe the encounter.