Two advocates hacked to death in broad daylight. The question arises if the safeguards of law are threatened, how safe are the citizens?
Facts
The incident in question is with regard to the murder of Advocates Gattu Vaman Rao and his wife PV Nagamani. The lawyer couple were returning home after a court hearing when their vehicle was intercepted. They were stabbed to death by men who have not yet been identified. They were attacked using weapons near Ramagiri Mandal. The couple was taken to a nearby hospital where they succumbed to their injuries.
Sheelam Rangaiah Issue
The main allegation that is raised in connection with their death is the threats they had received in connection to filing a PIL. The PIL was filed with regard to the death of Sheelam Rangaiah in Manthani. He was a victim of custodial death. Sheelam Rangaiah was brought to police custody where he was kept for 4 days. He was allegedly subjected to custodial torture and on 26.05.2020 at 4:00 a.m. and he died in lockup. Advocate Nagamani who filed the PIL in the High Court had prayed for the filing of an FIR and a judicial enquiry in the said incident. It is stated that after the filing of the PIL the couple had received death threats from the police department. The couple subsequently moved to High Court seeking protection from the threats which the Court had complied with by directing the Telangana DGP to look into the said issue.
Court
The Court when condemning the broad daylight murder stated that “the incident has shaken us all from our stupor.”
Chief Justice Hima Kohli and Justice B. Vijaysen took suo-moto cognisance of the murdered couple. On the discussion of the same in court Advocate General B.S. Prasad assured the Court that investigation had been launched and that attempts would be made to nab the culprits.
He furthered his stance by stating that
“pictures in the media show two state-owned buses at the site and therefore the passengers must be identified and be produced as witnesses before the Court.”
The Bar Council had released a statement on the incident.
The order stated that
“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.”
The Bar Council also called for police action and also contended that to protect advocates the Advocates Protection Act be enacted by the government.
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