Gujarat High Court
Credit: PTI File Photo
Ahmedabad: After four years of legal battle, an FIR was filed against seven policemen for killing a father-son duo in an alleged fake encounter in Gujarat's Surendranagar district.
Officials said that an FIR was registered with the Bajana police station in Patdi taluka on Friday against seven policemen including police sub-inspector (PSI) Virendrasinh N Jadeja and his subordinates including, Rajesh Savjibhai, Kiritbhai Ganeshbhai, Digvijaysinh Hardipsinh, Prahaladbhai Prabhubhai and Manubhai Govindbhai.
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Dhrangadhra, J D Purohit confirmed to DH that the FIR has been registered against the seven policemen for murder, among other charges. Purohit has been appointed as investigating officer into the alleged fake encounter which was reported in 2021 in Patdi taluka.
During a police action history sheeter Hanif Jat Malek (44), and his son Madeen (14), were killed in police firing by a team led by accused PSI Jadeja.
The police had defended themselves by stating that they fired in self-defence. The family members moved Gujarat High Court seeking investigation into the killings while alleging that the father-son duo were killed in cold blood.
The petition was filed by Sohana Malek claiming that her father and brother were killed on November 6, 2021, in Gedia village under Bajana police station in cold blood.
Police claimed that Hanif was wanted in Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organized Crime (GUJCTOC) Act for his involvement in dozens of cases of loot and theft. He was allegedly part of the notorious "Gedia gang" and was named in as many as 86 FIRs and was wanted in 59 cases.
Police had claimed that the seven member police team led by Jadeja had gone to the village to arrest Hanif after they received specific information. However, police claimed, Hanif and his son resisted arrest and tried to flee.
Police claimed that they had to resort to firing after Hanif shot at the police team to resist arrest who was being assisted by his son and others. One of the bullets hit Hanif in his chest while another one hit his son Madeen.
The Gujarat HC in 2024 had disposed of the petition while giving the petitioners liberty to approach local court. Subsequently, they approached the magisterial court which earlier this month ordered the police to file an FIR against the erring cops.