Gujarat high court orders CBI inquiry in Sadiq Jamal Mehtar encounter case

In a setback to Gujarat Police, the state high court today ordered a CBI inquiry in the 2003 Sadiq Jamal Mehtar encounter case.

Justice MR Shah ordered the transfer of investigation from the city crime branch to the CBI on a petition by Sadiq's brother Shabbir Jamal Mehtar.

The court said the encounter involved high ranking police officials of Gujarat and if the probe is transfered to the STF, there could be apprehensions of bias in investigations.

Therefore, a probe by an independent agency like CBI is required, it said.

The court however, categorically stated that the judgement in no way doubts the credibility of state police.

Sadiq was allegedly killed in Naroda area of the city on January 13, 2003, by the city crime branch. The encounter allegedly involved suspended IPS officer DG Vanzara, who is also one of the prime accused in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case.

The court also rejected the plea of the Gujarat government to transfer probe in the matter to the Special Task Force (STF), constituted by the state to inquire into police encounter cases.