Ishrat encounter: HC raps Gujarat for shielding cops

Verma is assisting the CBI in the probe on the orders of a Division Bench of the High Court comprising Justices Jayant Patel and Abhilasha Kumari. The probe status report,submitted by the CBI in the High Court on Thursday,had reportedly stated that senior Gujarat Police officers were shielding and protecting the accused policemen. On Friday,CBI counsel Ejaz Khan sought extension of services of Verma in the case on the ground that the investigation was at a crucial stage and his assistance was vital.

State government counsel Prakash Jani objected to this,arguing that Vermas services had been provided to the CBI for far too long and that he was required in Gujarat. However,Khan countered by saying that a new name,of an officer from outside Gujarat,had come up during case investigation and that Sharmas services were needed further to complete the probe. Speaking for the Bench,Justice Patel said,It has come on record that some officers of the state government are obstructing the investigation.

We cannot understand why the state government is objecting to making services of Verma available to the CBI in a case where some of the senior police officers are accused, he said.