Human Rights Commission to probe Kishenji's death

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today asked its investigation unit to collect facts and requisite reports on the killing of Maoist leader Kishenji within six weeks.

The move came after the NHRC took cognizance of a complaint alleging that 58-year-old Koteshwara Rao alias Kishenji was killed in a fake encounter on November 24 in West Bengal's West Midnapore district.

"The Commission today asked its director general (Investigation) to collect facts and requisite reports within six weeks," an NHRC spokesperson said.

His family and associates, including Maoist ideologue Varavara Rao, alleged that Kishenji was tortured before being killed in a fake encounter.

"Kishenji was subjected to inhuman torture as his body bore marks of several injuries and he was killed in a fake encounter 24 hours after being nabbed. I demand a white paper on the killing," Rao had said.