SC refuses bail petitions in Sohrabuddin encounter case

New Delhi , Apr 28 (UNI) The Supreme Court today dismissed the petitions of two senior police officers seeking their release on bail in Sohrabbudin Sheikh fake encounter case.

A bench comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat, P Sadasivam and Aftab Alam declined to release on bail, former SP, Udaipur, Rajasthan Dinesh M N and Gujarat DSP Narendra Kumar Amin who are facing allegations of involvement in the killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh on November 25, 2005 in a fake encounter.

The Gujarat police later admitted in the Supreme Court that Sohrabuddin's wife Kausar Bi might have also been killed.

At least six police officers including formwer DIG (STF) Gujarat, D G Vanzara are facing trial for their involvement in the murder.

Sole eyewitness in the case Tulsi Ram Prajapati was also allegedly killed in a bid to destroy evidence. According to state government Sohrabuddin was involved in terrorist and other criminal activities and was facing trials.

The apex court had earlier refused to order a CBI enquiry as demanded by Rubuddin Sheikh, brother of Sohrabuddin, as it found the investigation carried out by the state police quite satisfactory.

The court had issued contempt notices to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi when he tried to justify the killing of Sohrabuddin in an election meeting during Assembly polls held last year.

The two police officers were granted bail which was subsequently cancelled and are presently in jail.

The petitioners have sought bail on the ground that the investigation in the case has been already completed and there was hardly any evidence against them.

The apex court was not convinced and felt that witnesses may be under pressure if the two are released on bail.

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