Another case of fake encounter in Gujarat

New Delhi, May 28 (UNI) The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Centre, state of Gujarat, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, state Home Minister Amit Shah, state of Kerala, state of Maharashtra, DGP Gujarat and others, on a petition filed by one M R Gopinatha Pillai seeking CBI enquiry into the death of his son in alleged fake encounter by Gujarat police.

The step of the apex court was seen as yet another setback to the Narendra Modi Government.

Counsel for the petitioner contended before the vacation bench comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat and D K Jain that his son Pranesh Kumar Pillai alias Javed Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh was killed in a fake encounter on June 15, 2004 along with three others, accused of allegedly conspiring to eliminate the state Chief Minister.

He denied the allegations that the four including his son were militants and contended that they were bogus alibi to kill his son in fake encounter.

The petitioner also pleaded that he has already made representation to the Union Home Minister, Chairman of National Human Rights Commission(NHRC), Kerala Chief Minister and other authorities and demanded free and fair probe into the killing of his innocent son who has nothing to do with any militant organisation.

The petition has been filed on behalf of the widow of the victim Mrs Sajitha and his two children. The petitioner has also alleged that his case was similar to that of Sohrabuddin Sheikh who along with his wife Kausarbi was also killed in fake encounter by Gujarat police in November 2005.

The court directed that his petition shall be tagged with the petition seeking CBI enquiry into the killing of Sohrabuddin in fake encounter.

The Supreme Court has already refused to order a CBI enquiry in Sohrabuddin fake encounter case expressing satisfaction with the way the Gujarat police has conducted investigation into the case and had arrested seven people including three senior IPS officers.

An Ahmedabad court has also issued arrest warrants against five more police officials taking the total number to 12.

UNI