Members of the family of a Youth Congress leader, Fairoz Pathan, who was hacked to death in his house, have urged the State government to hand over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a thorough investigation.

Addressing presspersons in Dharwad on Wednesday, Parvez Pathan, brother of Fairoz Pathan, said that the police have failed to trace Congress leader Ismail Tamatgar, against whom allegations have been made in connection with the case, even after two months of the murder.

Mr. Parvez Pathan said that Ismail Tamatgar might have fled the country fearing arrest. He said that the police have issued notices for mere formality and have not made any serious effort to arrest him. He also said that the police have failed to take any action against the accused because of pressure from influential leaders.

Mr. Parvez Pathan also said that Mainuddin, one of the accused arrested by the police in the case, who has been admitted in hospital for health reasons, has been found using mobile phones and other gadgets in hospital, indicating the “royal” treatment being given to him in custody.

He also demanded police protection for his family members as they are facing a life threat.

On the recent statement by office-bearers of Anjuman-e-Islam, Mr. Pravez Pathan said that they did not make any allegation against the institution which is headed by Ismail Tamatgar.

On another statement by the office-bearers of the organisation that Ismail Tamatgar did not have any role to play in the case, he said that there are audio recordings of conversations between Fairoz Pathan and Ismail Tamatgar which suggested otherwise.