New Delhi, Dec. 12 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered an independent inquiry into the Cyberabad police's encounter of four accused in the rape and murder of 26-year old Hyderabad veterinary doctor Priyanka Reddy, media reports said.

The eight-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), which was appointed by the Telangana government to probe into the encounter, will have to stand down as the top court said only its probe panel can carry out the investigation.On Nov 27, the four accused had raped, murdered and burnt the body of Priyanka in Shamshabad, Telangana leading to an outrage across the country.Though the encounter was widely perceived as an "instant justice", police claimed their weapons were snatched by the accused leading to ...