Congress demands Modi's resignation over Tulsiram Prajapati fake encounter case

The Congress Party on Tuesday demanded Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's resignation until the investigation on the Tulsiram Prajapati fake encounter case is completed, in order to ensure objectivity in the matter.

Asking for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) enquiry, Congress leader Ajay Maken said the latest evidence, as revealed by a journalist's sting operation, is extremely critical in the case, and thus, Narendra Modi should resign.

"We, too, want that the matter is thoroughly investigated. That is why we want that the CBI investigates the matter. Strict punishment should be handed out after the investigation concludes," Maken said.

"In the process of the investigation, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi should not interfere. To ensure this, he should resign. Now, that so much evidence has come forward, names are being taken in a way that there is sincere concurrence. From the encounter to the judicial process-right through it all, reports of interference are surfacing," he said.

"We believe the Chief Minister whose involvement in the encounter is possible, the Chief Minister whose involvement in the judicial process is possible, that person has no right to sit at his position until the investigation is complete," he added.

On Monday, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Supreme Court, by freelance journalist Pushp Kumar Sharma, against BJP Member of Parliament Prakash Javadekar and Bhupendra Yadav, who can allegedly be heard discussing how to get a blank document signed by the mother of Tulsiram Prajapati.

Additionally, in the evidence submitted by the journalist, the BJP leaders have reportedly stated that the "vakalatnama" or signed affidavit, could be used to appoint a lawyer of their choice to represent Tulsiram's family, which will allow them to control the course of investigation in the case.

Tulsiram Prajapati, a Dalit, was killed by the Gujarat police in a fake encounter in 2006. Amit Shah, former Gujarat Home Minister, has been charged with murder in the case.

Shah, who is believed to be a close aide of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, is also accused of murder in the fake encounter that killed Sohrabuddin Sheikh.