New Delhi, January 12
The Supreme Court today ordered a CBI probe into the killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh in an alleged fake encounter with Gujarat police in November 2005.

A Bench comprising Justices Tarun Chatterjee and Aftab Alam issued the order on a plea by Rubabuddin Sheikh, brother of the slain Sohrabuddin Sheikh. Rubabuddin had expressed doubts over the investigation being conducted by the state police. Soon after the encounter, Sohrabuddin’s wife Kausar Bi went missing. It was alleged that his wife and other witness Tulsiram Prajapati were also killed by the police to destroy evidence.

“In view of the involvement of the police officials of the state in this crime, we cannot shut our eyes and direct the state police authorities to continue with the investigation and the chargesheet... We also feel that the CBI should be requested to take up the investigation and submit a report in this court within six months,” the Bench ruled.

The CBI would investigate all aspects of the case relating to the killing of Sohrabuddin and his wife Kausarbi.