Ayesha Meera's mother questions CBI's investigation

Shamshad Begum, the mother of Ayesha Meera, expressed her distress and frustration at a recent press conference in Tenali, revealing that she has been summoned to the CBI court in Vijayawada on the 19th of this month for questioning. She lamented the serious delay in the trial, which has now dragged on for 18 years, and reiterated her family's firm belief in the innocence of Satyam Babu, who was previously acquitted in the case.

Begum passionately questioned the logic behind being asked for her opinion on the case when she and her family have not been provided with a copy of the CBI's sealed report. This report was submitted to the High Court in June, marking the conclusion of their investigation. "How can we express our opinion about the case without giving us copies of the report?" she asked, highlighting the lack of transparency. She voiced her deep disappointment, stating that even the CBI, an autonomous and respected investigative body, has failed to deliver justice for her daughter.

The mother recounted the family's cooperation throughout the investigation, including agreeing to a re-postmortem of Ayesha Meera, a decision they made despite it conflicting with their religious traditions. This act, she explained, was a testament to their unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth. She also placed the responsibility for action on the government, directly calling on the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Home Minister, and DGP to respond to their pleas for justice.

The tragic case dates back to the night of December 27, 2007, when Ayesha Meera was murdered in a women's hostel in Ibrahimpatnam. In August 2008, Satyam Babu was arrested and subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment by the Vijayawada Women's Sessions Court. However, his conviction was overturned on March 31, 2017, when the High Court dismissed the case and acquitted him.

Unsatisfied with the verdict, Ayesha's parents appealed to the High Court, leading to the investigation being handed over to the CBI in 2018. The CBI, after taking over the reins, recently submitted its final report to the High Court three months ago. Despite their persistent efforts, Ayesha's parents were denied access to the report. Following a suggestion from the High Court to resolve the matter in a lower court, they filed a petition with the CBI court in Vijayawada, only to have their request for the report denied once again. This latest summons for questioning, without providing the key document, adds another layer of complexity and frustration to their long and arduous fight for justice.