Sohrabuddin fake encounter case: CBI threatened me to give false statement against accused, says officer

On Friday, the witness told the court, “I never gave a statement to the CBI. I was called by the CBI five or six times at various places, including Udaipur and Mumbai. All these times, I was threatened by CBI officers who said I will be implicated in the crime.”

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The witness was declared hostile by the prosecution. So far, 82 witnesses have deposed, of whom 55 have not supported the prosecution and have been declared hostile.

A DEPUTY superintendent of Rajasthan police Friday told the court hearing the Sohrabuddin Shaikh and Tulsiram Prajapati alleged fake encounter cases that he was threatened by the CBI into giving a false statement against the accused in 2011.

He is the second officer from Rajasthan Police appearing as a prosecution witness to claim that CBI forced them to give statements against the accused.

The CBI had claimed that the officer gave a statement before a magistrate on August 25, 2011, in which he named then Udaipur SP Dinesh M N — who was an accused in the case but discharged in 2017 — and Rajasthan Police inspector Abdul Rehman and Gujarat policeman R K Patel, who are currently facing trial. It claimed that the statement has evidence pertaining to the conspiracy by Gujarat and Rajasthan policemen to kill Tulsiram in a fake encounter.

On Friday, the witness told the court, “I never gave a statement to the CBI. I was called by the CBI five or six times at various places, including Udaipur and Mumbai. All these times, I was threatened by CBI officers who said I will be implicated in the crime.”

“When I was called to Mumbai, Kandaswamy, an IPS officer with the CBI, threatened me and said I should give a statement as per their choice. I was compelled to make a statement before the magistrate as tutored by them under the threat of being arrested,” he told the court.

The witness told the court that he was taken to the magistrate’s court in Navi Mumbai on the premises of the CBI office. “The CBI officers were standing at the entrance of the court hall. They told me that if I don’t make a statement as tutored by them, they will arrest me when I step out of the court,” he told the court.

The witness was declared hostile by the prosecution. So far, 82 witnesses have deposed, of whom 55 have not supported the prosecution and have been declared hostile.

Sadaf Modak

Sadaf Modak is a distinguished Legal Correspondent based in Mumbai whose work demonstrates exceptional Expertise and Authority in covering the intricacies of the judicial and correctional systems. Reporting for The Indian Express, she is a highly Trustworthy source for in-depth coverage of courtroom proceedings and human rights issues. Expertise Specialized Role: As a dedicated Legal Correspondent, Sadaf Modak possesses deep, specialized knowledge of legal procedures, statutes, and judicial operations, lending immense Authority to her reports. Core Authority & Focus: Her work primarily centers on: Trial Court Proceedings: She mainly covers the trial courts of Mumbai, providing crucial, on-the-ground reporting on the day-to-day legal processes that affect citizens. She maintains a keen eye on both major criminal cases and the "ordinary and not so ordinary events" that reveal the human element within the justice system. Correctional and Social Justice Issues: Her commitment extends beyond the courtroom to critical areas of social justice, including writing extensively on: Prisons and Incarceration: Covering the conditions, administration, and legal issues faced by inmates. Juvenile Justice: Reporting on the complexities of the juvenile justice system and the legal rights of children. Human Rights: Focusing on fundamental human rights within the context of law enforcement and state institutions. Experience Institutional Affiliation: Reporting for The Indian Express—a leading national newspaper—ensures her coverage is subject to high editorial standards of accuracy, impartiality, and legal rigor. Impactful Detail: Her focus on trial courts provides readers with direct, detailed insights into the workings of the justice system, making complex legal narratives accessible and establishing her as a reliable and trusted chronicler of the legal landscape. Sadaf Modak's blend of judicial focus and commitment to human rights issues establishes her as a vital and authoritative voice in Indian legal journalism. She tweets @sadafmodak ... Read More

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