Exclusive! Cop statement in Ishrat Jahan case not under Sec 164

No statement has been recorded by the accused police officer, GL Singhal, in the Ishrat Jahan case under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code, sources have told rediff.com.

A mainstream television channel had reported on June 14 that Singhal has accused  the Intelligence Bureau special director, Rajendra kumar, of active connivance in the killing of Ishrat Jahan and three alleged terrorists in June 2004.

Recording of statement under Section 164 of the CrPC is always done before a magistrate, away from the influence of investigating officers in a case.

A source in the Central Bureau of Investigation pointed out that Singhal was an accused in the killing of Ishrat Jahan, and the agency normally records the statements of only witnesses under Section 164. Many witnesses have given their statement under the said section proving that Ishrat Jahan's killing was a case of fake encounter.