Breaking: Telangana High Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance Of Day Light Murder Of Lawyer Couple

A Division Bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy of Telangana High Court has taken suo motu cognizance on the murder of a lawyer couple near Hyderabad on Wednesday.

A lawyer couple from Telangana, who had earlier complained of harassment in connection to the public interest litigations filed by them, was murdered in broad daylight

As reported by the Hindu, Advocates Gattu Vaman Rao and his wife PV Nagamani were returning to Hyderabad after attending a court case in Manthani, when their vehicle was intercepted and they were stabbed multiple times by some unidentified men.

The couple was rushed to a nearby hospital where they succumbed to the injuries this afternoon.

Rao and Nagamani had filed a PIL against alleged custodial death of one Seelam Rangaiah in Manthani.

In a letter addressed to the High Court Chief Justice, the couple had alleged that Rangaiah was brought to the Manthani Police Station and was kept under lock-up for four days.

During this period, he was allegedly subjected to custodial torture. Subsequently, unable to bear the police atrocities, it was claimed that Mr. Rangaiah died in the lock-up under suspicious circumstances on 26.05.2020 at 4:00 a.m.

Advocate Nagamani prayed before the Court to issue directions for registration of an FIR and also conduct a judicial enquiry into the death of Sheelam Rangaiah.

In September 2020, the couple had moved an application before the Court, alleging that they are being threatened by the Police Department.

Advocate Nagamani had alleged that her husband was falsely implicated in a FIR and she was threatened over phone that by getting involved in this case, she is not only risking her life but also the lives of her children and other family members.

Following these submissions, a Division Bench had directed the Director General of Police, Telangana State, to ensure that the couple is not harassed.

Last week, the High Court passed an order extending the protection granted to them.

The Bar Council of Telangana has issued a statement condemning the alleged incident. "The country is witnessing frequent attacks on advocates and that no person can take Law into hands and resort to illegal activities and that the matter shall be dealt with as per the Law," it said.

The Council has demanded the Police to probe the and arrest the culprits. It has also asked the Government to enact Advocates Protection Act to safeguard the Advocate Community, who discharge their duties to protect the rights of the Citizens.