SIT may probe Sohrabuddin murder

The Supreme Court has directed the Gujarat government to grant compensation to the kin of Sohrabuddin Sheikh, who was killed —
allegedly in a staged encounter — by the state police. More embarrassing for the government is the likelihood of the case being handed over to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the riots of 2002.

“There are many loose ends in the charge sheet. We will refer it to the SIT,” a bench of justices Tarun Chatterjee and Aftab Alam said, on Monday, while asking the Gujarat government to file its response on the issue and posted the matter for further hearing to August 11. 

The apex court also directed the Modi government to specify an interim compensation for Sohrabuddin’s brother, Rubabuddin.

However, the sum was not settled by the bench because senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared on behalf of the state, requested that the quantum of compensation be left to the Gujarat government.

“I have no faith in the investigation being carried out by the state CID (crime),” Rubabuddin said. “Even four years after the crime was committed, the CID has not been able to locate the body of my sister-in-law, Kauser Bi.”

Sohrabuddin was shot dead by the police on the outskirts of Ahmedabad in November 2005. It has been alleged that Sohrabuddin’s wife, Kausar Bi, and another witness, Tulsiram Prajapati, were also killed to destroy evidence. Fourteen policemen including three IPS officers, DG Vanzara, Rajkumar Pandiyan and Dineshkumar MN were put in jail following a order passed by the supreme court after hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by Rubabuddin.