KOCHI: The High Court has stopped the trial court from reading out the charge sheet to Sandeep, accused of killing Dr. Vandana Das, a house surgeon at Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital. Justice PV Kunjikrishnan passed the interim order on a petition filed by Vandana's parents KG Mohandas and T Vasanthakumari seeking a CBI probe into the case.

The single bench had directed the state police chief to personally meet Vandana's parents and take steps to resolve the complaint and submit a report on the same. According to this, the DGP met the parents at Nattakam Guest House and held a discussion. While considering the petition yesterday, the government said that their complaint regarding the current investigation is being examined and they need time to submit a report in this regard.

Senior advocate P. Vijayabhanu, who appeared for the petitioners, argued that the government is trying to prolong the petition as the trial proceedings are in progress in the trial court. The lawyer said that they are trying to complete the procedures including the reading of the charge sheet and inquired what is the obstacle to leaving the investigation to the CBI. He asked who the police were trying to save and what the government was trying to hide. Then the High Court stopped the reading of the charge sheet. The single bench adjourned the petition to November 6 and asked the DGP to submit a report before that.

Dr. Vandana was stabbed to death by the accused Sandipenna, who was brought to hospital by the police for a medical examination on the night of May 10. The petitioners allege that the police have committed a serious lapse in the incident and that the investigation is being carried out in a hidden manner.