IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE R.BASANT WEDNESDAY, THE 28TH MARCH 2007 / 7TH CHAITHRA 1929 WP(C).No. 8458 of 2007(F) ------------------------- CRIME NO.14/07 OF MANNAR POLICE STATION --------------- PETITIONER: ------------ LALITHA G. PANICKER, W/O.GOPALAKRISHNA PANICKER, AGED 52 YEARS, MADATHUM BHAGOM THEKKARA MURI, PURAMATTOM VILLAGE, MALLAPPALLY TALUK, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.K.MADHUSOODHANAN NAIR RESPONDENTS: ----------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, ALAPPUZHA. 3. THE SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE, MANNAR POLICE STATION. BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI.GIKKU JACOB THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 28/03/2007, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: R.BASANT, J. ---------------------- W.P.C.No.8458 of 2007 ---------------------------------------- Dated this the 28th day of March 2007 JUDGMENT The petitioner is the mother of a woman aged about 24 years, who was found dead with burn injuries at her matrimonial home. The incident occurred on 15/01/2007. The grievance of the petitioner is that no proper, efficient and serious investigation is being conducted into the matter by the local police. 2. The learned Public Prosecutor was requested to take instructions. The learned Public Prosecutor, after taking instructions, submits that realising the need for investigation by a more senior police official, the investigation has now been entrusted to Deputy Superintendent of Police, DCRB, Alappuzha (Sri.T.Gopalakrishna Pillai) on 16/03/2007. The needful shall be done. A proper and efficient investigation shall be conducted and offenders, if any, shall be brought to book, submits the learned Public Prosecutor. 3. In the light of the submissions that the investigation has been entrusted to such a senior police official, the learned W.P.C.No.8458 of 2007 2 counsel for the petitioner does not seek any further directions but prays that it may be ensured that there is an expeditious investigation in the matter. 4. I do not think that any time bound direction deserves to be issued in the facts and circumstances of this case. I need only express the opinion that I expect the present investigating officer to conduct a proper, efficient and expeditious investigation and come to appropriate conclusion and report them to the court concerned. 5. This writ petition is, in these circumstances, dismissed. However, the dismissal shall not place any fetter on the petitioner's right to approach this court later, if proper investigation is not conducted. (R.BASANT, JUDGE) jsr // True Copy// PA to Judge W.P.C.No.8458 of 2007 3 W.P.C.No.8458 of 2007 4 R.BASANT, J C.R.R.P.No. ORDER 21ST DAY OF JULY 2006