Sohrab case: Guj HC issues notices to two accused cops

The Central agency probing the fake encounter case had sought permission to collect voice samples of two accused, suspended IPS officer Abhay Chudasama and sub-inspector N V Chauhan, to compare it with audio-video evidence.

Justice Anant Dave, while hearing the CBI plea today issued notices to the two accused asking them to respond to the CBI plea and file their reply by February 22 when the next hearing is scheduled.

CBI lawyer Y N Ravani submitted that the voice sample is required as part of evidence gathering exercise.

Last month, CBI sessions court judge G K Upadhyay had disallowed the CBI from collecting voice samples of the duo. The order was passed while hearing appeals by Chudasama and Chauhan, against a magisterial court's order of October last allowing CBI to collect their voice samples.

CBI wanted the voice samples of Chudasama, Chauhan and N K Amin to verify the voices with some audio-video evidence that it had. Amin, who wants to become an approver in the case had already given voice sample for verification.

The audio-video evidence with the CBI include the recording of conversation between Amin and Chauhan, where the later was allegedly caught saying that he had heard prime accused D G Vanzara telling another co-accused Rajkumar Pandian over the phone that instructions to liquidate Sohrabuddin’s wife Kausar Bi came from former Minister of State for Home Amit Shah.

Another such evidence is the video recording of the meeting between two accused Yashpal Chudasama and Ajay Patel with two witnesses in the case, builders Raman Patel and his brother Dashrat Patel at the city-based Rifle Club. Abhay Chudasama was also present during this meeting.

In this audio-video footage, the accused have been caught trying to influence the witnesses and allegedly directing them how they should depose before the CBI.