The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing cases related to renegade Maoist-turned-gangster Nayeem, who was gunned down by police in an alleged exchange of fire last year, said that their investigation was almost complete.
Addressing media persons, Nagi Reddy, Inspector General of Police, North Zone, who is leading the investigation, said that the SIT had booked over 200 cases, and arrested 128 people, while 109 accused were taken into custody.
Over the past one year, 895 witnesses were examined by the SIT, the police officer stated.
“We do not expect more names of police officials to come up. We are working on putting together the documentary evidence and will wait for the court to verify them through forensic science laboratory,” he was quoted as saying.
PTI reported that a departmental inquiry had also been ordered with major Punishment Roles (PRs) issued against four police officers and minor PRs issued against 16 police officers for their alleged links with Nayeem.
In May this year, Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Sharma issued orders suspending five police officers.
Those put under suspension were Additional Superintendent of Police (CID) Maddipati Srinivas Rao, Assistant Commissioners of Police serving in Hyderabad M. Srinivas Rao and Chintamaneni Srinivas, and Circle Inspectors Ramgopal and Mastan.
Nayeem was gunned down by police in an alleged exchange of fire on August 8 in Shadnagar town near Hyderabad.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to probe several cases against Nayeem and also allegations that some politicians and policemen had links with him.
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had told the state assembly in December last year, that after the death of Nayeem, police registered 174 cases, arrested 124 accused, and seized firearms and properties worth over Rs 100 crore.
He said the gang's involvement was established in 27 murder cases and it was suspected to be involved in another 25 murder cases.
As a Maoist, Nayeem had killed an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer K.L. Vyas in 1993. After being expelled from the People's War Group (PWG) for indulging in extortion, he turned a police informer to help them effectively counter Left-wing extremism, which was then at its peak.
Nayeem, with alleged help from police, eliminated some top Maoists and their sympathisers in then united Andhra Pradesh.