Khurshid Recalls Police Treating Sibal as 'Stranger' at Batla House

Congress leader Salman Khurshid recently recounted the Batla House encounter, revealing that he and then Union minister Kapil Sibal visited the site after the incident. Khurshid shared this during the launch of Mujibur Rehman's book, "Shikwa-e-Hind." He mentioned that although he was not part of the government in 2008, he persuaded Sibal to visit the site.

Police Reaction at Batla House

Khurshid explained that when they arrived at Batla House, police personnel treated Sibal as a stranger. "Not one moved a step to go and greet the minister who had come," he said. Despite initial hesitation, Sibal agreed to visit after Khurshid insisted. They walked up the steps of the building where the incident occurred and observed from the roof.

The Congress-led UPA government was in power when the Batla House encounter took place. Khurshid noted that Sibal initially received advice against visiting the site but eventually agreed due to his insistence. Upon their arrival, police did not acknowledge Sibal's presence as a minister.

Details of the Encounter

The Batla House encounter followed serial blasts in Delhi in September 2008. During the operation, two suspected Indian Mujahideen terrorists were killed. Two others, Ariz Khan and Shehzad Ahmad, were arrested, while another suspect escaped. Mohan Chand Sharma, an officer of Delhi Police's Special Cell, succumbed to bullet injuries on the same day.

Khurshid recalled how they tried to see if an investigation or inquiry could be set up after their visit. He also mentioned that when he referred this matter to Congress leadership, they expressed concern over the situation in the country. "Look at what is happening to our country," he quoted them saying.

Legal Proceedings and Sentences

Shehzad Ahmad was arrested in Lucknow in February 2010 and later sentenced to life imprisonment by a trial court in 2013. Ariz Khan was arrested in 2018 and initially received a death sentence from a trial court. However, this was later commuted to life imprisonment by the Delhi High Court.

During an election campaign in Uttar Pradesh in February 2012, Khurshid mentioned that pictures of the Batla House encounter brought tears to then Congress president Sonia Gandhi's eyes. "I was not a minister at that time but still took the issue of the Batla encounter to Sonia Gandhi and she had tears in her eyes," he said.

The BJP criticised Khurshid and Congress for allegedly appeasing Muslims following his remarks about Sonia Gandhi's reaction. The incident remains a significant point of contention between political parties.

Khurshid concluded by saying that it is another long story when referring to his efforts regarding an investigation into the encounter. The Batla House incident continues to evoke strong emotions and political debate in India.