Fake encounter specialist Vanzara gets bail

Ahmedabad, Feb 19 (UNI) The Gujarat High court today granted interim bail to IPS officer D G Vanzara, who is one of the prime suspects in the Sohrabbudin Sheikh fake encounter case of 2005.

Justice D N Patel upheld the arguments of advocate Ajay Chokshi, who appeared for Mr Vanzara, that his client being head of the joint tribal family had to attend marriage ceremony of his nephew.

In his order, Justice Patel ordered the Sabarmati Jail authorities to release Mr Vanzara on February 24 for 72 hours. They were also asked to ensure Mr Vanzara's return on or before 1700 hours on February 26.

Over two dozen police officials, including two IPS officers of Gujarat Police--Vanzara and Rajkumar Pandyan-- and one of Rajasthan Police--Dinesh Kumar, had allegedly executed the encounter.

Sohrabuddin was reportedly gunned down on November 26, 2005 after being branded a Lashkar-e-Toiba militant by the Gujarat Police. He had hatched a conspiracy to kill Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, it was alleged.

The cops also allegedly killed Sohrabuddin's wife, Kausar Bi.

On the Supreme Court's directive, the Gujarat Government had constituted a CID team under IGP Geetha Johri to investigate the case.

UNI MP OBB LS AS1651