Encounters probe: STF to call Javed Akhtar,others

The Special Task Force (STF) formed under the instructions of the Supreme Court to probe 22 encounter killings in Gujarat will issue notices to lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar and veteran journalist BG Verghese who had filed a petition in the apex court in 2007 seeking a probe into all encounter killings in the state since 2002.

A senior official from the STF said the agency would send notices to the petitioners and kith and kin of the victims on Wednesday,asking them to appear before it in Gandhinagar.

“Personal notices would be sent to Javed Akhtar and BG Verghese tomorrow. Notices would also be sent to all the co-petitioners in the case,asking them to come and share the details,” he said,adding they would be asked to choose a date next month as per their convenience.

Last month,Justice (retired) H S Bedi,who heads the monitoring committee to supervise the STF probe,had postponed his meeting with STF members.

The meeting is now scheduled for July 19.