Preethi death case: PIL demands CBI probe; Telangana HC notice to govt

HYDERABAD: Telangana high court on Tuesday issued notices to the state government, principal of Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal police commissioner and others, asking them to explain their stand by July 28 in connection with medico Preethi death case.
A bench of Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice N Tukaramji converted a letter written by president of Telangana ST Employees' Welfare Association, M Mallaiah, seeking a court-monitored CBI probe into Preethi's death into a PIL and took up hearing.
The court also issued notices to principal secretary of medical and health department, director of medical education and head of anesthesia department of KMC, seeking their replies by July 28. Mallaiah, in his letter, demanded stringent punishment for all the accused and death for the main accused and Preethi's senior Mohammed Ali Saif.
The petitioner urged the court to call for records from the authorities on the alleged caste discrimination Preethi suffered at the hands of her seniors and also the indifference of the head of anesthesia wing.
Mallaiah said the head of the department did not initiate any action against those who were ragging and humiliating her over her ST status and reservations. "The principal of the college too did not come to her rescue despite Preethi filing a written complaint," he said in the letter.
Mallaiah named Saif as one of the seniors who was hell-bent on harassing Preethi. Saif was arrested and released on bail recently.
Mallaiah said Saif and other colleagues developed a grudge against Preethi because she was filing complaints against them. He charged Saif and others with administering a poisonous injection to Preethi forcibly which led to her death.
"The probe should be monitored by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court or the high court," he urged. The culprits must be tried under provisions of IPC that deal with murder and SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. "The remaining accused like the principal of the college and the HoD too should be arrested and tried. Direct the state government to pay a compensation of Rs 10 crore to the parents of Preethi," Mallaiah said.