Javed's father speaks about Ishrat fake encounter

Contradicting claims made by the CBI in its charge sheet in the Ishrat Jahan fake encounter case, Gopinath Pillai, father of Pranesh Pillai alias Javed Sheikh who was among those killed in the encounter, has claimed that his son knew Ishrat for many years.

The CBI in its charge sheet had claimed that Ishrat Jahan and her accomplice Javed knew each other for about a month before the encounter.

Pillai, while addressing the media here on Tuesday, said that he was not aware of his son’s exact business but said that he had shifted to Pune from Kerala. Pillai, however, added that he was vaguely aware that his son was into garments and cosmetics business.

“Ishrat’s father was known to my son and he had assured him on the death bed that he would take care of her and that is why he was helping Ishrat’s studies in college,’’ said Pillai.

Pillai said he was sure that his son was in no way attached to any terror organisation, and on the contrary was a law abiding citizen. My son knew a lot of police officers from Gujarat and the last time he spoke to me over phone he sounded nervous, Pillai added. Prior to the last conversation, Javed had said that a police officer would help him and he could stabilise his life.