Not a single rifle missing from SAFB: Kerala govt to HC

The Kerala government on Thursday informed the High Court that not a single rifle went missing from the Special Armed Forces Battalion (SAFB) of the Kerala police in Thiruvananthapuram.

The government counsel made the submission when a fresh plea by Ramachandra Kaimal seeking a probe by CBI or NIA into the issue came up for hearing.

Considering the petition, a Division Bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice S Manikumar and Justice Shaji P Chaly directed the government to file a detailed report and adjourned the matter after two weeks.

On Wednesday, the High Court had dismissed a plea, seeking a CBI probe into the incident, observing that the case could not be considered merely based on media reports.

A CAG report found shortage of 5.56 mm INSAS rifles and 12,061 live cartridges in the SAPB and also came down on state police chief DGP Loknath Behera for purchasing bullet proof vehicles for VVIP security, violating guidelines.