MADRAS: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has opposed a claim for Rs 13 lakh as compensation made by an associate of Ranganan LTTE militant accused in the Rajiv assassination case from the CBI for allegedly keeping him in illegal custody

In a counter-affidavit to a write petition filed in the Madras high court by Balaguru who was interrogated in connection with Rangans role in re-painting Maruti Gypsy jeep used by Sivarasan the dead prime suspect in the case the CBI denied the” allegation that Balaguru was detained illegally from Aug.29 eight days.

Balaguru has sought a compensation of Rs one lakh for every day of detention and Rs five Sikh for being “brutally beaten up”

K Ragothaman the chief investigation officer in the case in his” affidavit said the claim had transactions with Rangan the petition had made “false statements through sponsored affidavits he said and sought the petitions dismissal.

The case has been adjourned to” Friday.

Another report says the custody” of Santhan a hardcore LTTE militant arrested in connection” with the Rajiy Gandhi assassination case was Wednesday x= tended till November 15 by the judge of the designated court S M Siddickk here.

Arrested in August Santhan was till now in the CBI* s custody. Hey will henceforth be in judicial custody.

Earlier the judge reserved his order for Set.23 on an application for bail moved on behalf of K Rama krishnan head of a Dravidar Kazhagam faction and his associate V Aruchamy who have been charged under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act for their connections with the LITE.

SHIMLA: Sixteen people were killed and 16 injured 12 of them seriously when their bus rolled several hundred feet into a ravine near Mandn32-km from this northern Indian hill state Thursday afternoon.

The Himachal road transport corporation bus was on its way Tatapani from here.

Twelve people died on the spot and” four on the Way to hospital.

Fourteen of victims including an 18-month old child women have been identified so far The driver and the conductor the bus among the dead.

The accident took place when the driver lost control of the bus after its brakes failed.

The chief minister Shanta Kumar visited the injured people in hospital and announced immediate relief of Rs 10000 to the next of kin of victims and Rs 500 to Rs 2500 to the injured persons.

The dependents of the victims will also get 35,000 under the passengers insurance scheme.

Article extracted from this publication >> September 27, 1991