Ishrat Jahan case: Satish Verma, ex-boss coping clash - Daily News & Analysis

Satish Verma: A thorn in state govt's flesh IPS officer Satish Verma, who is assisting CBI investigations in Ishrat fake encounter case, is proving to be a major thorn in the flesh of the state government, if arguments by Gujarat's additional advocate general, Tushar Mehta, are anything to go by. Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday moved Gujarat HC to seek extension of Verma's assistance in the case, and the state government vehemently opposed it. Its counsel, Tushar Mehta, came down heavily on the investigating agency saying that it is "overzealous for one officer". Verma, who is currently posted as principal of Police Training College, Junagadh, was member of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by Gujarat HC to investigate the case. SIT subsequently was dissolved and investigations were handed over to CBI, which continued with Verma's assistance in the case. But his participation in the investigation has given many a sleepless nights to the police officers – DGPs to Constables – who have been named accused in the case, say sources. They are scared of what will be his next move. Verma may not be mentioned on paper as part of the investigation, but sources say that his contribution is critical to solving of this fake encounter case. The investigation is incomplete without him. CBI's advocate, Ejaz Khan, reaffirmed this claim while arguing in the high court yesterday. He said that investigation (in Ishrat case) is in its last legs and Verma's assistance is needed to complete it – mainly in examining the conspiracy angles. This prompted Mehta to say, "CBI seems overzealous about one officer." He then spent most of the court's time to counter CBI's demand to continue Verma's assistance till a chargesheet is filed. HC, on the contrary, questioned the state government as to why doesn't it want Verma to assist the investigation. Mehta argued that Verma is acting with "predetermined notions" and "personal bias" and also raised questions on his conduct. CBI has sought time till July's second week to submit the chargesheet. The Next hearing in the matter is scheduled on June 18. Is Kaushik the missing link in Ishrat case? Ishrat Jahan fake encounter case: a long and winding tale with several twists and turns. But KR Kaushik's summon and likely interrogation by CBI is being seen as the last, sweeping right-hander that may solve the conspiracy, believe sources in the investigating agency. KR Kaushik was city commissioner of police when Ishrat Jahan, Pranesh Pillai (alias Javed Sheikh), Zeeshan Johar and Amjad Ali were killed in a supposed fake encounter at Noblenagar area late night of June 14, 2004. A 1972 batch IPS officer, KR Kaushik, retired as Director General of Police (DGP) in September 2008, but CBI has brought him into focus again by summoning him to throw light on the fake encounter that happened when he was at the helm of the city police. He was officially on leave when the incident had happened. Sources in CBI claim that Kaushik will be questioned by investigating agency in next few days. He could be grilled with reference to information that Intelligence Bureau (IB) provided to the state government before the fake encounter. IB apparently had told the state government that four terrorists, including a woman, have come to Gujarat with the intention to avenge 2002 Godhra riots. They had hatched a plan to kill the chief minister and other Hindu leaders of the state. These were the findings of Gujarat HC's SIT that was formed to probe the incident. CBI sources claim that though Kaushik was officially on leave when Ishrat and others were killed, CBI wants to interrogate him about who from the state government had communicated to him about the elimination of the four alleged terrorists in his absence. Sources further said that CBI, during the course of its investigation, found that Ishrat and three others were illegally detained and then killed by Detection of Crime Branch (DCB). They had acted on the input provided by Central IB, which was communicated to them by Kaushik. And if found guilty, Kaushik may be arrested as an accused in the case. CBI needs to speed up investigations, as it has to submit a chargesheet in the matter with Gujarat HC by second week of July. Sources said that CBI wants to solve the conspiracy and by mentioning exact names of the people involved in passing the Central IB input. via Top Stories - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNH37--ECgAnD6dAlq1k58Y2arDBNA&url=http://www.dnaindia.com/ahmedabad/1848381/report-ishrat-jahan-case-satish-verma-ex-boss-coping-clash

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