Gujarat encounter: Sheikh's kin seeks CBI probe

Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, Apr 25 (UNI) Gujarat fake encounter victim Sohrabuddin Sheikh's brother today sought a CBI inquiry into the entire episode, saying he had no faith in the state police.

Denying any terrorist and underworld links or criminal record, Sheikh's younger brother Rubabuddin Sheikh told UNI over telephone that it was suspected that his brother was eliminated by Gujarat Police, who might have been offered 'supari' (murder contract) by his Ahmedabad-based rivals engaged in real estate business.

Sohrabuddin assisted his brother Nayabuddin in the realty business at Indore and both brothers faced threat to life over a property dispute involving their Ahmedabad rivals. ''Since the encounter death on November 26, 2005, we wound up the business and we four brothers are engaged in agriculture at our native Jhirnia village, about 60 km from Ujjain,'' Mr Sheikh said.

Alleging that Gujarat Police was keen to protect its officers, he added that only a CBI probe could unravel the mystery behind the fake encounter and disappearance of Kauser Bi, who accompanied her husband Sohrabuddin on his bus journey from Hyderabad for Eid celebration with an acquaintance in Sangli, Maharashtra. They were picked up by police on the way and Sohrabuddin was killed three days later.

Expressing satisfaction over the Supreme Court's directive after the Gujarat government admitted the encounter was fake, Mr Sheikh, who petitioned the apex court, said that the fight for justice would be taken to its logical conclusion.

Deputy Inspector-General D K Vanzara, who earlier headed the anti-terrorist squad, his deputy Rajkumar Pandyan, and Mr M N Dinesh, SP of Alwar, Rajasthan, were arrested by Gujarat Police yesterday for alleged involvement in the encounter.

Jhirnia village, having a population of about 1,200, witnessed celebration yesterday with distribution of sweets and a fireworks display after receiving information about the arrests.

UNI