The Supreme Court has ordered a six-month extension to a judicial panel examining the death of four men accused of the gangrape and murder of a veterinarian near Telangana’s Cyberabad in November 2019.

In December that year, the four were encountered by police reportedly as they tried to escape from custody after being taken to the scene of the crime for forensic reconstructions.

The court told the panel this would be the final extension, since two have already been granted.

“Why is this matter going on and on… it is not a big matter,” Chief Justice NV Ramana asked, to which the lawyer for the panel answered that the examination of witnesses had been delayed by the pandemic.

“Is it necessary to question 130 witnesses?” an unconvinced Chief Justice responded, mentioning that a report into the killing of gangster Vikas Dubey – in a gunfight with Uttar Pradesh Police in July last year – was filed within a year despite the Covid situation.

“In UP encounter case the inquiry is over and report has been submitted. Why is this being delayed?” the Chief Justice demanded an answer.

However, despite the top court’s concerns, the panel in this case was given an extension.

Four men accused of the rape and murder of a 26-year-old woman on November 27 were shot dead by Cyberabad Police in December 2019.

The Supreme Court set up a three-member panel – headed by retired top court judge Justice VS Sirpurkar – on December 12, 2019.