Sadiq encounter: CBI seeks more time to complete probe

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), on Saturday, moved an application before the Gujarat High Court seeking a three-month extension to complete the probe into the 2003 Sadiq Jamal encounter case. The central agency has sought the extension citing several reasons related to the probe including the non-cooperation from a key person in the case and getting further reports from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CSFL).

Sadiq Jamal was killed by the Ahmedabad City Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) on January 13, 2003. DCB officials had claimed that Sadiq was on a mission to kill Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Sadiq's brother, Shabir, had moved the HC and demanded a CBI probe in the case. Acting on Shabir's petition, the HC had handed over the investigation of the case to CBI last year and ordered it to complete the investigation in six months. However, the CBI had sought an extension of six months which was granted by the court.

On Saturday, the CBI stated that the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) reports of the DCB and CFSL were not matching and so further reports were required for the investigation. The probe agency has also stated that the case involved investigation in foreign countries and reports from Interpol and Protector of Emigrants, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs about Sadiq's visits to Dubai and related reports were awaited.

In its application, CBI also stated that Ketan Tirodkar, a journalist crucial to the case, has not cooperated in the investigation. "He is hiding himself in order to keep himself away from the scope of investigation. Necessary legal recourses are being taken to ensure his presence," the application stated. Tirodkar is a Maharashtra-based journalist who had made public statements on the alleged handover of Sadiq by the Maharashtra police to the Gujarat Police.

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