In a controversial order that could undermine the role of Rajnish Rai DIG (CID-Crime), the key officer monitoring the investigation into the Sohrabuddin Shaikh fake encounter case, Gujarat Director General of Police P C Pande has asked Rai’s Chief Investigating Officer (CIO) G B Padheria to report directly to Rai’s boss O P Mathur, ADGP (CID-Crime). And made Mathur’s approval mandatory for searches, arrests and investigation.

Sources said that while the order, on the face of it, does not tie Rai’s hands, it signals that Rai will be under watch. Moreover, by telling the CIO to report daily to Rai’s boss rather than to Rai, it effectively undercuts Rai’s role in the investigation. Rai had arrested the three IPS officers without informing Mathur.

In the letter written on April 27, a copy of which is with The Indian Express, Pande has told Mathur to take direct charge of the case, including perusal of the daily case diary written by Padheria. Pande declined to comment.

As justification, Pande cites the Supreme Court’s unhappiness with the progress in the investigation into Kausar Bi’s disappearance. “I feel it (the probe) should be supervised at the higher level of ADGP (CID-Crime) himself on a day to day basis...CIO G B Padheria should be properly guided and there has to be proper application of mind at the level of ADGP (Crime)...the CIO must take approval along with full justification for all steps required to be taken in this investigation in order to facilitate proper planning and coordination...The approval of ADGP (Crime) should invariably be taken in respect of searches, scientific opinions to be obtained, arrests, future line of investigation and any other custodial interrogations.”

... contd.