A Special CBI Court on Friday acquitted all 22 accused in Soharbuddin Sheikh alleged ‘Fake Encounter’ citing lack of proper evidence against all. Sohrabuddin Sheikh was Killed in Gujarat in the year 2005 by State Police, in an alleged Fake Encounter, while his aide, Tulsiram Prajapati died a year later in an another alleged fake encounter.
Out of 22 acquitted, 21 are Junior Level Police Officers in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh while one was the Owner of Farmhouse where Soharbuddin and his wife were alleged held before their Murder.
The Central Bureau of Investigation took the case from CID in 2010. CBI Prosecutor BP Raju deposited that most of the evidence was procured by CBI. Raju also said that the trail in the case was hampered because of 92 Witness turned Hostile.
While Announcing the Judgment, the Special CBI Judge SJ Sharma as quoted by ANI said, ‘Govt machinery and prosecution put in a lot of effort, 210 witnesses were brought but satisfactory evidence didn’t come and witnesses turned hostile. No fault of prosecutor if witnesses don’t speak’
Analyzing the case, He said, ‘all the witnesses and proofs are not satisfactory to prove conspiracy and murder, the court also observed that circumstantial evidence is not substantial’
According to the CBI’s case, as on November 23, 2005, Sohrabuddin was allegedly abducted from a bus near Hyderabad with his wife Kausar Bi. He was allegedly abducted by police personnel of ATS, Gujarat. The couple was then taken to Ahmedabad, and on November 26, 2005, Sohrabuddin was killed in a fake encounter by cops from the Gujarat and Rajasthan police.
Over Years, initially, 38 accused were booked but 16 including BJP National President Amit Shah were discharged later.