Karnataka won't appeal to Karim,
will file counter affidavit
Fakir Chand in Bangalore
Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna on Tuesday disclosed that Advocate General A Jayaram would be filing a counter affidavit on September 1, 2000, when former deputy superintendent of police Abdul Karim's Special Leave Petition comes up for hearing before the three-judge division bench of the Supreme Court.
He allayed fears that the Supreme Court's stay on the release of 51 suspected associates of Veerappan would delay the release of Kannada matinee idol Dr Rajakumar and three others who are being held captive by the outlaw somewhere in the Satyamangalam forest range.
On whether the government would persuade Karim to withdraw the SLP in order to resolve the hostage crisis at the earliest, Krishna said, "In a democratic set-up, every citizen is entitled to pursue his fundamental right and the government of Karnataka respects that fundamental right." Abdul Karim's son Shakeel Ahmad, a sub-inspector in the special task force of the Karnataka government, had been killed by Veerappan's gang.
The 51 Terrorist And Disruptive Activities Act detainees had been granted bail by the Mysore Sessions Court on Monday after the state government dropped all criminal cases against them.
"The release of Dr Rajakumar by Veerappan is independent of the Supreme Court's decision. The two issues are not inter-related. The brigand is aware of the intentions of both the state governments (Karnataka and Tamil Nadu)," Krishna said. "We have met his demands."
Krishna refused to comment on the locus standi of the SLP in the light of the state government dropping all cases against the accused, saying the issue was before the apex court.
"The Supreme Court has heard the SLP and directed the state government to file an affidavit on Friday when its division bench will hear the case. The advocate general has been instructed to defend the decision of the government," Krishna stated in Bangalore.
He refused to divulge the legal opinion offered by the advocate general.
SEE ALSO
'Nakkeeran' Gopal sets out to meet Veerappan
SC puts off TADA detainees' case till Sept 1
Latest court verdict makes Krishna's life miserable
The Rajakumar Abduction: complete coverage
The saga of Veerappan
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