SC reject CBI probe in Gujarat fake encounter

May 17: The Supreme Court has rejected Centreâ??s plea to transfer Gujarat fake encounter case to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

While hearing the case today here, SC made clear that it is not viable to transfer the case at this stage and laid huge faith in Gujarat CID chief Geeta Johri. Highest judicial seat of the country has directed Johri to submit the final report of the case on July 3, 2007.

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Meanwhile, Gujarat government has submitted a report in the case in which besides other three IPS officers have already been arrested. Gujarat government and police are under immense pressure from different quarters since the news of fake encounter of Soharabuddin and his wife Kauser Bi was reported.

It has been alleged that DG Vanzara along with his team killed husband-wife duo in fake encounter while branding Soharabuddin as Lashkar operative.

SC in its direction has made clear that they will monitor the case and directed Gujarat police to submit action taken report from time to time. In its direction court made clear that they will monitor each and every action of the case till end.

This is pursued as a setback for the union government, who demanded a CBI probe in the case while saying that it involves three states - Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

While making clear that SC will monitor the case, the going might be tough for Gujarat government because the real power will always lie with the highest seat of countryâ??s judiciary.

In directing Gujarat CID chief, Geeta Johri, to go on with the investigation, Supreme Court has laid huge faith in her, who is known to work independent of any political pressure. She was the leading member of the team, who reported the fake killings by the anti-terrorist squad of Gujarat police headed by DG Vanzara.

Meanwhile, VHP along with other associated organization have started a campaign to present suspended IPS officer as hero by claiming that the people of the state are with him.

On April 24, three IPS officers, DIG (border range) D G Vanzara, who headed the ATS then, SP Rajkumar Pandian and Rajasthan SP Dinesh M N, were arrested for their alleged role in the fake encounter. Later on May 7 three more police men were arrested for their alleged role in the fake encounter. They include Inspector N H Dabhi, Ajay Parmar and Sant Ram, who were arrested after detailed interrogation of three IPS officers.