Bangalore, Apr 22 (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister K J George today refused to pay heed to the demand for a CBI probe into the killing of a youth by Anti-Naxal Force personnel at a checkpost near Sringeri in Chikmagalur district, even as a section of his partymen insisted on probe by the central probe agency.
"The CID is competent to investigate the incident and the government would take appropriate action once the probe report is submitted," he told reporters here.
The Anti-Naxal Force personnel allegedly had shot dead Kabeer at Tanikodu check-post on Sringeri–Karkala Road on April 19. The police, however, had clarified that the ANF officials mistook him for a Maoist.
George said he has told the CID officials to expedite the preliminary report and they have assured him that they would submit it in the next two to three days.
The Karnataka Muslim Federation, led by Information Minister Roshan Baig and veteran Congress leader Janardhan Poojary have urged Siddaramaiah to hand over the investigation to CBI.
George said there is nothing wrong in Poojary demanding a CBI enquiry into the matter, but he could only decide after the submission of the preliminary report.
"Moreover, I am only a recommending authority. The decision to hand over any case to the CBI rests on the Chief Minister," he contended.
He also argued that handing over the case to CBI would demoralise his department, however, he was not against taking such a step.
On several occasions in the past the government has given some cases to CBI, George said.