CBI to seek shifting of trial out of Rajasthan

Facing hurdle in the alleged 2006 fake Dara Singh encounter case, the CBI wants the trial to be shifted out of Rajasthan. The agency is likely to seek the intervention of the Supreme Court, which is hearing the special leave petition (SLP), on the next date of hearing. BJP leader and MLA Rajendra Singh Rathore and top brass of the Rajasthan Police, including former additional director general, are main accused in the case.

The agency has alleged that the BJP leader may try to subvert the trial and has been causing trouble after he was arrested on April 5 by the CBI. The agency is also going to name one of the senior lawyers from Rajasthan who they allege is influencing the judiciary. Officials probing the case also allege that since the accused are 'high-profile', they may try to influence or threaten the witnesses. "We have been facing lot of problem in day to day conduct...we are going to request the SC to transfer the case out from Rajasthan," said a top CBI officer.

On October 23, 2006, a team of the Rajasthan's Special Operations Group (SOG) allegedly gunned down Dara Singh in an encounter at Jaipur. The Supreme Court ordered a CBI investigation into the incident following a petition filed by Singh's wife Sushila Devi. The CBI took over the investigations in April 2010 and has so far filed five status reports before the SC.

The CBI on April 5, 2012 filed a chargesheet against Rathore, a BJP MLA from Taranagar in Churu district. The arguments on framing of charges is likely to come up before a Jaipur special court on May 7.

Another high profile accused in the case is former additional director general of police A K Jain who surrendered before a CBI court in January this year. Other accused include inspector general of police A Ponnuchami, additional superintendent of police Arshad Ali and 14 other police officials.

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