Rathore's release not to affect Dara Singh encounter case:CBI

"The order of the trial court is awaited. On receipt of the orders, the CBI will examine and take necessary legal action as per merit of the court's order. However, today's order of trial court has not in any way affected the trial, already continuing, against rest of the accused persons," CBI spokesperson said here

District and Sessions Judge, Jaipur, P K Jain today discharged Rathore, also the Chief Whip of BJP in the Rajasthan assembly, from being the main conspirator in the local liquor smuggler Dara Singh fake encounter killing case.

There was no criminal conspiracy hatched by Rathore to kill a history sheeter from Jhunjhunu named Dara, the court had observed.

The CBI had come out with a charge-sheet alleging that Rathore was the mastermind of the fake encounter as he was having rivalry with the deceased for supporting one group of liquor mafia of Jhunjhunu district in the state.

Rathore, who was the Parliamentary Affairs Minister at the time of the incident, was arrested on April 5.

In its statement, the CBI said the agency had filed its first charge sheet against 16 accused persons on June 03, 2011 in Dara Singh Fake Encounter Case.

"The charges against 12 accused persons, in judicial custody, have been framed by the court of District and Session Judge, Jaipur and trial against them is in progress. The prosecution witnesses are being examined by the trial court. The remaining four accused persons are absconding," it said.