The Karnataka government on Monday decided to institute a judicial probe into the death of Janata Dal-United leader H Nagappa, who was being held hostage by Veerapan.
At a Cabinet meeting in Bangalore, it was decided that a high court judge would head the probe, Minister for Information Kagodu Thimmappa said.
The government would soon draft the terms of reference for the inquiry, he said, adding that high court would decide whether the probe would be conducted by a sitting or retired judge.
It was an "unprecedented decision" by the government to order a judicial probe into a case of murder, he said, adding, "it will bring to light the truth... there is no need for a CBI investigation."
The police have registered a case of murder under Section 304 of the Indian Penal Code into the death of Nagappa.
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