The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to seek a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the killing of Telugu Desam Party legislator Paritala Ravi.
"From our side, this case will be referred to the judicial inquiry commission, which is already inquiring into political/factious murders in Anantapur district," Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy said after a Cabinet meeting.
"This case will be added to the existing terms of reference. The CBI-CID and district police will continue their normal investigations into the case," Reddy said.
"In the FIR relating to the incident, Paritala Ravi's father-in-law has given the names of my son, my Cabinet colleague and a senior police officer. Hence, I have decided to refer the matter to the CBI. I am not only impartial on the issue but also want to be seen to be impartial," he explained.
"The government has nothing to do with the killing. We have immediately ordered an impartial investigation so that there is no slightest of doubt in the minds of people," he added.
The CM said there was no lapse on the part of security personnel.
Ravi was provided the security that he had during the TDP rule.
He said there was no problem with the continuance of Panchayat Raj Minister J C Diwakar Reddy in the Cabinet though he had been named in the FIR.
"He can continue as a minister. There is nothing wrong. During TDP rule, two chargesheeted ministers, Ram Subba Reddy and Kodela Siva Prasada Rao, continued in Chandrababu Naidu's Cabinet. One of them even attended the court as a prime accused."