The four gang-rape and murder accused killed in a police encounter in Hyderabad "were deliberately fired upon with an intent to cause their death", said a Supreme Court-appointed panel on Friday according to ndtv.com.

Among them three were minors.

The raised "glaring lapses in the investigation of the case and recommended that 10 policemen be tried for murder."

"In our considered opinion, the accused were deliberately fired upon with an intent to cause their death and with the knowledge that the firing would invariably result in the death of the deceased suspect," the report said.

"We are of the opinion that at the relevant time, Jolu Shiva, Jolu Naveen, and Chintakunta Chennakeshavulu were minors," the members added.

Mohammed Arif, Chintakunta Chennakeshavulu, Jolu Shiva, and Jollu Naveen - were arrested for allegedly gang raping and murdering a veterinary lady doctor in November 2019.

They were shot dead on NH-44 near Hyderabad - the same highway - where the charred body of the veterinarian was found.

The apex court on Friday also ordered sharing the sealed cover report of the commission on the encounter killings and shifted the case to the Telangana High Court for further action.