Gujarat fake encounter: SC order on May 15

The Supreme Court on Thursday admitted a petition seeking CBI inquiry into the Gujarat fake encounter killing in which Sohrabuddin Sheikh was gunned down after being branded as a Lashkar-e Tayiba cadre.

Sheikh's wife Kauser Bi was also killed by the police a few days after the encounter.

A bench comprising Justices Tarun Chatterjee and P K Balasubramanyam 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.

Rubabuddin Sheikh, brother of Sohrabuddin had filed a petition seeking CBI inquiry into the fake encounter killing and a habeas corpus petition seeking a direction for the Gujarat police to trace Kauser 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.