Not one witness in Sohrabuddin case got threats: CBI

Mumbai: The CBI on Tuesday informed the Bombay high court that so far not a single witness in the 2005 Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounters case has complained about receiving any threats. The agency also assured the HC that it will provide protection if any witness asks for the same. The court on Monday had expressed concern over too many witnesses turning hostile in the Sohrabuddin encounter case.

“I have taken instructions from the state and so far none of the witnesses have complained of any threat to them and I assure the court that if any witness seeks protection we will provide him,” said additional solicitor general Anil Singh, appearing for the CBI. The agency has filed a revision application challenging the discharge of two policemen from Sohrabuddin Shaikh and Tulsiram Prajapati fake encounter case.

Advocate Singh also told the court that in respect of Prajapati’s fake encounter, the agency has recorded statements of some of the inmates of Gujarat jail where Prajapati was kept before he was killed in an encounter.

Arguing on behalf of former ACP Narendra K. Amin, advocate Mahesh Jetmalani said that the court’s observation on many witnesses turning hostile could cause prejudice to his client. However, Justice Revati Mohite-Dere told him that the court was concerned about all the cases and not only about this case.

On Tuesday, Sohrabuddin’s brother Rubabuddin contended that except for former DIG D.G. Vanzara, the CBI has not obtained call data record of any other accused, which can show the spike in calls of the accused at the time of incident. The court would continue hearing the arguments on Wednesday.