Govt denies any rift between CBI and IB on Ishrat

New Delhi, July 17: Government today denied two premier organisations of the country -- the CBI and IB -- were fighting with each other over the issue of prosecuting IB officials in the Ishrat Jahan fake encounter case saying the "mud-slinging" was happening only in the press.

Minister of State for Home R P N Singh said there was no question of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) fighting with each other over the Ishrat fake encounter case that had taken place in Gujarat in 2004.

"The mud-slinging is happening only in the press," he told reporters here. Singh was responding to a question on the reported tussle between CBI and IB over prosecuting IB officials, including Special Director Rajender Kumar, who were allegedly part of the conspiracy to kill the 19-year-old Mumbra girl and three others nine years ago.

Interestingly, following CBI's reported move, IB has lodged a complaint with the government against CBI saying prosecuting its officials in such cases would be demoralising for other officials in IB and may affect the organisation's functioning.

The Minister, however, made it clear that if any official is found guilty, he should be punished but no innocent would be harassed.

PTI