Vanzara's role clear in Ishrat encounter: court

A special CBI court here has said that prima facie former police officer D G Vanzara's role was "clear and greater" than that of former DGP P P Pandey in the Ishrat Jahan case.

Pandey has been discharged in the case by the same court.

Special CBI judge J K Pandya also said that another accused, N K Amin, who had also filed a discharge application, was present at the spot during the encounter.

The court yesterday rejected discharge pleas of both Vanzara and Amin. The detailed order copy became available today.

"From the statements of police constable, police sub-inspector and police inspector (who were made witnesses by the CBI), it prima facie appears that the role of accused No 3 (Vanzara) is clear and greater than accused No 2 (Pandey)," the court said.

Vanzara had sought discharge on the ground of parity with Pandey.

On Amin, the court said, "It is clear that accused No 5 N K Amin had intercepted and apprehended Ishrat and Javed from Vasad Toll Booth on June 12, 2004, and during encounter he was present at the scene of incident."