Chittoor killings: SC dismisses plea seeking CBI probe in Andhra Pradesh firing

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain petitions seeking a CBI probe or court-monitored inquiry into the firing leading to the killing of 20 people in a forest in Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district.

Read: NHRC favours judicial enquiry by Andhra Pradesh Government into Chittoor killings

A bench, headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu, said the High Court at Hyderabad and the National Human Rights Commission are already looking into the incident.

The petition was filed by an advocate and some individuals who had contended that among the victims were innocent labourers from Tamil Nadu.

Read: 'Has anybody been arrested or questioned,' High Court asks AP police

The incident came under severe attack from rights activists and political parties including in neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

Andhra Pradesh Police had claimed that six of its personnel were also injured in an attack by alleged smugglers, armed with sickles, axes and country-made weapons.

However, the relatives of the victims said the 20 people were shot dead by the police in cold blood.

Read: Seshachalam is first murder case on AP policemen