CID begins excavations at Vanzaraâ??s bungalow

NI Wire

Delhi

Mon, 07 May 2007:  May 07: The investigating officers hunting for clues in Gujarat fake encounter case began digging the compound of one of the accused and DIG, D.G.Vanzara, at Illol. On Sunday, the search team carried out excavation of a covered well on a farm behind the premises, where fake encounter was reported as having been rried out.

The search party is hunting to trace the mortal remains of Kauser Bi, wife of Sohrabuddin Sheikh.

CID (crime) IGP Geetha Johri, who was reinstalled and given the charge to investigate again on Thursday following a direction from the Supreme Court, headed the investigation team. The investigating teamâ??s attention was arrested by a well which was found covered, with a small temple-like structure built on it, within the compound of arrested DIG DG Vanzaraâ??s bungalow.

Earlier on Saturday night, the Gujarat government formally suspended Vanzara and SP (Intelligence) Rajkumar Pandian, both of whom have been in police custody since April 24.

Sources revealed that the excavation of the covered well was done in response to information that Kausar Biâ??s body was buried in the well, after she was killed and partially burnt at a nearby riverbed. The exercise included collection of soil samples from the well to compare it with soil samples taken from ravines where Kauser Bi was reported as having been burnt.

According to officials, the well was filled up with the soil from the spot where Kauser Bi was burnt. The soil samples would also be tested by a forensic team to confirm whether it contained any material evidence like pieces of bones.

The digging operation began around 1.30 pm on Sunday, under tight security, as the angry villagers were pelting stones at media persons. Police sources said the digging continued till 6.00 pm, Sunday.

Another excavation may be carried today. The investigating team also were found inquiring in the region.