Chhattisgarh HC stays police probe into killing of MLA, 4 cops in Naxal attack

The Chhattisgarh High Court Tuesday stayed a police probe into the April 9 killing of BJP MLA Bhima Mandavi and four security personnel in a Naxal attack in the state's Dantewada district.

A single bench of Justice Prashant Mishra was hearing a petition filed by the National Investigation Agency, the central agency's counsel Kishore Bhaduri said.

The NIA last month registered a case under the Indian Penal Code, the Arms Act, the Explosives Substances Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the attack.

The NIA, which reached Dantewada for investigation, was denied case documents by the local police, Bhaduri said.

It had first approached its designated local court on this refusal by police and after failing to get any relief there, approached the HC last week, he said.

The central agency also sought a stay on police investigations into the attack which was granted by the HC, Bhaduri said, adding that the state government has been asked to file a reply within two weeks.

The state government, earlier this month, had asked the Centre to reconsider its decision to hand over the probe to the NIA.