The Karnataka high court has decided to oversee the probe into the murder of KAS officer S.P. Mahantesh on a suo-motu basis and has directed the police authorities to submit a progress report to the court by June 20. “From the articles appearing in newspapers, it is evident that there is scepticism if not suspicion in the minds of the public with regard to the inquiry being conducted on the unfortunate fatal attack on Mahantesh, deputy director of cooperative society, audit department who was conducting audits of house building cooperative societies,” the bench headed by the Chief Justice said. “In view of the dimensions of the case, we exercise suo motu powers and direct that notices be issued to the principal secretary, home department and Bengaluru city police commissioner, returnable by June 21,” the court said. The court has appointed advocate Clifton D. Rozario to assist it as amicus curiae. 48-year-old Mahantesh suffered head injuries in an alleged attack by unidentified persons on May 15, and later died in a private hospital five days later.