Sibal calls for independent probe into Gujarat false encounters

Sibal's charge comes in the wake of the arrest of three police officials, including DG Vanzara, for the alleged murder of Sohrabuddin Sheikh, reports Saroj Nagi.

The Congress began its media war against the BJP government in poll-bound Gujarat by calling on the Supreme Court to ensure an independent probe into all cases of alleged false encounters carried out in the state in the name of anti-terrorist campaigns.

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"The nation must be secure from the threat of terrorists. It must also be secure from acts of terror perpetuated by some representatives of a brutalised police force under a dispensation which has no respect for the rule of law,'' said Union Minister Kapil Sibal who is part of the AICC's Media Committee for the states where assembly elections are to be held in 2007-08.

Sibal's charge came in the wake of the arrest of three police officials, including DG Vanzara, for the alleged murder of Sohrabuddin Sheikh. Sheikh was killed in an encounter following suspicion that he was a LeT operative. According to the minister, Vanzara's name has figured in half a dozen encounters.

Sibal maintained that while there should be zero tolerance against terrorists, it was the court's duty to probe the root cause of false encounters and ask whether these encounters were meant to send a message or make a statement and who benefited from them.

Sibal listed some queries that required investigation:

Encounter specialist DG Vanzara's personal assets and wealth in view of charges that he benefited monetarily with each death.

Whether requisite police procedures were followed when the alleged warnings of assassination of LK Advani, N Modi and Pravin Togadia came in and the records of the same.

Who were behind the false encounter?

Do they have a godfather and who is he?

Why were the Rajasthan and Andhra police involved?

Is Kauser Bi, wife of Sohrabuddin Sheikh who was killed in an encounter, alive or dead? Sheikh was a suspected LeT operative.