Cong rejects SP's demand of probe into Batla encounter

New Delhi, Oct 8 (UNI) Snubbing the Samajwadi Party (SP), the Congress today rejected the demand for a judicial probe into the September 19 Jamia Nagar encounter in which two terrorists and one police officer were killed.

"Let us leave it to the investigative and judicial process to take care of the case," AICC Spokesman Manish Tewari told mediapersons.

The Congress reiterated its stand on the Batla House encounter within a few hours after SP general secretary Amar Singh met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and urged him to ensure a judicial probe into the encounter.

Mr Amar Singh alleged that there were several question marks over the genuineness of the encounter and that it was vital to bring out the truth so that harassment of the innocent people did not take place.

Mr Tewari said the court was also seized of the matter, adding, "Let us have faith in the judicial system." Referring to the public spat between Mr Singh and AICC Secretary Satyravrat Chaturvedi on the Batla House encounter issue, the spokesman said," it was unfortunate and regrettable." "This kind of discourses should not vitiate the relationship," he said, while pointing out that the Congress respected the leaders of the SP, which "is an ally and supported the UPA government at a critical time." Mr Chaturvedi had said that Mr Amar Singh had lost his mental balance and that was why he was doubting the genuineness of the encounter.

To this, Mr Singh reacted today saying he would not like to comment on the remarks of "such insignificant leaders." UNI SH GT HT1850