S.Manikumar, C.J. - (1.) Instant Public Interest Litigation is filed on the basis of a news item appeared in Indian Express ePaper dated 13.2.2020 that the audit report of the Comptroller and Auditor General reveals a shortage of 25 rifles and 12061 live cartridges missing from special armed forces battalion. Petitioner has contended that notwithstanding the said finding, the State Police Chief (2nd respondent) had not conducted a fair investigation and the delay in investigation by national agency will affect the collection of primary evidences. With respect to the same, petitioner has sent Ext.P2 complaint to the H.O.B. Central Bureau of Investigation, Trivandrum (3rd respondent).
(2.) Aggrieved by the inaction of respondents 1 and 2, instant writ petition is filed seeking the following reliefs: "(i) To issue writ of mandamus and other appropriate writ, order or direction commanding the 3rd Respondent to conduct a fair investigation and book the culprits involved in the commission of the offence within a stipulated time under the monitoring of this Hon'ble Court. (ii) To issue writ of mandamus and other appropriate writ, order or direction commanding the 3rd Respondent to recoup the missing arms and ammunition expeditiously."
(3.) Heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the material available on record.;