Muthoot murder: Plea for CBI probe withdrawn

A petition seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the murder of Muthoot group scion Paul M George was on Tuesday withdrawn in the Kerala High Court after it observed that the police should have a free hand in the matter of investigation.

Petitioner, Borris Paul of Kollam, Secretary of Young Lawyers Association, had submitted that the investigation be handed over to CBI as the present probe was not going in the right direction. He had also sought a free, fair and impartial investigation in the case relating to the murder of George.

When the matter came up, a Division bench comprising Chief Justice S R Bannuramth and Justice A K Basheer observed that the police should have a free hand in the matter of investigation and at this stage the court would not interfere.

The judges also reserved the right of the petitioner to approach the court again.

The petitioner's counsel then decided to withdraw the petition.

George, Executive Director of Muthoot M George Group, a leading business conglomerate in Kerala with interest in several areas including financing and hospitality industry, was stabbed to death at a deserted spot in Pallathuruthy near Alappuzha on August 22.