Ishrat Jahan encounter: Javed Sheikh's father welcomes HC order

"I feel my long struggle, which I waged despite health problems, has yielded result," said Javed Sheikh's father as he welcomed the Gujarat High Court decision's to order a fresh FIR into the Ishrat Jahan encounter in which his son was among those killed.

Apart from Sheikh alias Pranesh Pillai, 19-year-old college girl Ishrat, Amjad Ali Rana and Zeeshan Johar were killed in the shootout by Ahmedabad Crime Branch on June 15, 2004.

"I feel vindicated. I have been fighting for justice and the order has reinforced my faith in God and judiciary," 72-year-old Gopinatha Pillai, father of Javed, said from his home at Charummood in Alappuzha district.

"I am sure the truth will be brought to light by an independent probe," Pillai said.

Javed's wife and three children are living in Pune, he said.