Charge sheet in Ishrat case may be delayed

The CBI may seek more time for filing the second charge sheet in the Ishrat Jahan fake encounter case as it wants to ensure that the conspiracy angle in the case is backed by solid evidence.

The filing of the second charge sheet is being keenly watched as the CBI is keeping its cards close to the chest on whether it will name Special Director Rajinder Kumar, who allegedly conspired with the Gujarat Police to stage the encounter.

Investigators are looking for more evidence regarding the conspiracy angle.

The CBI had named seven police officers in its first charge sheet on July 3, submitted in a Gujarat court, accusing them of murder and criminal conspiracy. Ishrat (19), Javed Sheikh alias Pranesh Pillai, Zeeshan Johar and Amjad Ali Rana were allegedly killed in a fake encounter on the outskirts of Ahmedabad in 2004.

Kumar’s name did not figure in the list and the agency said they will be filing a second charge sheet, which might have his name.

The issue of naming Kumar in the charge sheet will renew the fight between the CBI and Intelligence Bureau, which has taken up the matter at the prime minister level.

The Union Home Ministry is of the view that the CBI has to take sanction from it before prosecuting Kumar.