Cong attacks Modi on Prajapati, Vanzara issues

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Sep 05 2013 | 6:11 PM IST
Congress today stepped up attack on Narendra Modi saying "real criminals" are still not in jail and sought action on "new facts" emerging after the sting operation related to Tulsiram Prajapati killing and former cop D G Vanzara's explosive letter slamming the state government.
Latching on to a communciation by National Commission for Scheduled Castes to CBI today asking the agency to probe whether the ongoing investigation and judicial process in the Prajapati case had been manipulated, party spokesperson Bhakt Charan Das said had the Modi government been responsive, such killings would not have taken place.
AICC Communication Department Chairman Ajay Maken said that since now the NCSC has stepped into the issue and asked the CBI to probe the matter, the Chief Minister should step down till the probe is over.
Prajapati was killed in an alleged fake encounter by the Gujarat police in December 2006.
A PIL was filed in the Supreme Court against BJP MPs Prakash Javdekar and Bhupendra Singh Yadav alleging that they tried to impede investigation in the case in which former Gujarat Home Minister Amit Shah is main accused.
The petition filed by a journalist on the basis of a sting operation done by him alleged that attempts were made by the MPs to impede the trial and other judicial proceedings in this regard by "manipulating the complainant with the sole intent to protect Shah".
Congress has used the CD to lambast Modi over the killing of a "backward caste person" at a time when there is talk about Modi's projection as a backward caste leader in Lok Sabha polls.
Das, however, rejected any caste angle to the issue and downplayed questions as to why Congress is highlighting the backward caste identity of the slain Prajapti 7 years after the encounter and when the Lok Sabha elections are nearing.
"New facts are emerging in public domain now. Gradually truths are coming out. In that light we have to take step. The letter by Vanzara also shows that uptil now only cover-up has been done and real culprits are still not in jail," he said.
Vanzara (59), a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) rank officer considered close to Modi, had on Tuesday resigned from service accusing the Gujarat government of failing to protect loyal police officers who fought against "Pakistan-inspired terrorism".
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Sep 05 2013 | 6:11 PM IST

Next Story