SC fixes May 15 as final date of hearing on Gujarat fake encounter

NEW DELHI: Admitting a petition seeking CBI inquiry into the fake encounter killing in Gujarat, the Supreme Court on Thursday said a prima-facie case existed and fixed May 15 for giving its final order on the issue.

A bench of the court asked the Gujarat Government to file a report within two weeks on the issue.

The bench comprising Justices Tarun Chatterjee and PK Balasubramanyam was hearing a petition filed by Rubabuddin Sheikh, brother of Sohrabuddin, who was allegedly killed in a fake encounter by Gujarat police after being branded an LeT militant, for a CBI inquiry into it.

He had also filed habeas corpus petition for production of Sohrabuddin's wife Kausar Bi.

The action taken report filed by the Gujarat Government before the apex court had said that Kauser Bi was killed by the police and her body was burnt to destroy the evidence.

The bench said that a prima-facie case was there and directed the Gujarat Government to place its report within two weeks and fixed the matter for final order on May 15.

The apex court also sought a report from the Gujarat Government whether senior IPS officer Geeta Johari, investigating the case had been removed from carrying further probe into the incident.