Jailbirds shine in Gandhian studies
Reformation path
About 16 undertrials accused of serious offences and lodged in different jails across the state have emerged trumps in the recently held examination on Gandhian studies. 
And guess who topped the exam. Suspended Gujarat DIG D G Vanzara accused of killing Sohrabudin Sheikh and his wife Kausarbi in a fake encounter case.
Vanzara along with two other senior IPS officers were arrested in 2007 for being instrumental in the murders of the two. In prison, Vanzara has taken up writing books and reading Gandhian literature.
He had appeared in the examination on Gandhi Mimansa (Gandhian criticism) which was conducted on Gandhi Jayanti and the result was announced recently.
Vanzara took the examinations prepared by Gujarat Vidyapith with six others in the jail he secured the highest with 70 marks. Vidyapith university was founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920. It has been deemed university since 1963.
Bhanu Patel was placed second. Patel too was behind bars till December for a sexual harassment offence. Vidyapith sources said around 15 candidates from across the state took the examination and a convocation ceremony will be held to distribute the certificates.
Jail authorities said soon after Vanzara enrolled for the exams he asked for books on Gandhi from his family.
Apart from Gandhi Mimansa, Vanzara came 11th in the post graduate diploma course in value education and spirituality being run by the Brahmakumaris in association with the Annamalai University’s distance learning course. Terror accused Safdar Hussain Nagori stood first with 87 marks.
ADGP (Prisons) P C Thakur said he was informed about the results and that the suspended cop had indeed topped the examinations.
