Sadiq encounter: CBI arrests Mumbai scribe

The CBI Thursday arrested Mumbai-based journalist Ketan Tirodkar in connection with the 2003 Sadiq Jamal Mehtar encounter case. This is the first arrest in the alleged fake encounter case.

Earlier in the day, Tirodkar appeared before the Gujarat High Court. "After he appeared before the High Court, Tirodkar was brought to the CBI office at Gandhinagar and in the evening they took him into custody," said his lawyer Japan Dave.

While CBI sources said he was arrested on charges of murder, abduction and conspiracy among others, Dave said the "agency has not given any reasons for the arrest at present". "CBI only informed that tomorrow he will be produced before the Special CBI judge in Ahmedabad," Dave added.

Tirodkar, who had been ignoring CBI summons, is said to be a crucial link to prove that Sadiq's encounter was staged.

The court, meanwhile, granted the CBI till October 2 to complete the probe. "Everybody's endeavour should be to do it (complete the probe) as soon as possible so that the investigative officer reaches the ultimate truth and real culprits are found out. Therefore, time to conclude the investigation is hereby extended up to October 2," the court observed.

On Wednesday, the CBI had stated that examination of Tirodkar was crucial, after which Justice M R Shah ordered to arrest him if he did not appear before the court on Thursday.

It was one of Tirodkar's affidavits which suggested that Sadiq was killed in a fake encounter. Following this, Sadiq's brother Shabbir took up the matter and approached the High Court seeking probe into the encounter.

Tirodkar has claimed in his affidavit filed before a MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999) court in Mumbai in 2008 that Sadiq was handed over to the Gujarat Police in 2003, days before he was killed. Tirodkar has also named "encounter specialist" Daya Nayak who allegedly mediated the "handover".

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