KOCHI: The CBI told the Kerala High Court that they cannot continue probe in the Periya double murder case. The probe was hampered as the appeal plea filed by the state government is under the consideration of the court. The CBI informed the court that although the case was taken up and a chargesheet was filed in the court, no further action could be taken as the appeal was filed.

The CBI told the court that the case could not be continued pointing legal and technical hurdles. The CBI said they could not do anything as the court had orally mentioned that further inquiry is sufficient as per the verdict of the appeal. The case was earlier probed by the crime branch. The case was registered against many including the CPM leaders. However, at one stage, the parents of Kripesh and Sarat Lal alleged political bias in the investigation of the case. They sought a probe by another agency. On September 30 in 2019, the single bench of the high court issued an order leaving the case to the CBI.

The CBI quickly filed the charge sheet in the Periya case at the Ernakulam CJM court. However, the government approached the high court division bench questioning the action of leaving the probe to the CBI. The division bench heard the arguments on the plea and postponed pronouncing the judgement. Meantime, the court had verbally stated that further probe is necessary only as per the verdict. The CBI today informed the court that they could not do anything as the situation continues. Two accused had reached the court with bail pleas.