Ahmedabad: CBI today opposed bail application moved by suspended IPS officer D G Vanzara, an accused in the Ishrat Jahan fake encounter case, saying he may tamper with evidence as he is "politically well-connected".
"The accused (D G Vanzara) being a highly influential and politically well-connected person, there is every chance that he may tamper with the evidence," said the reply filed by Investigating Officer (IO) P N Bose before the special CBI court Judge Geeta Gopi here.
The court has posted the matter for further hearing on March 29. Bose said Vanzara`s release on bail could "jeopardise" the judicial process as he may "influence" witnesses.
"D G Vanzara had played a prominent role in the murder of victims Zeeshan Johar, Amjad Ali, Javed Sheikh and Ishrat Zahan," Bose said in the reply.
On his alleged role in confinement of the victims before the encounter, the CBI said, "Vanzara had performed guard duty on Amjad Ali at Arham farm which he, along with other co-accused, visited the place and interrogated them."
"After abducting Javed and Ishrat, they were confined in Khodiyar farm house at SG highway in Ahmedabad, during their confinement Vanzara along with other co-accused interrogated them," the reply said.
"On June 13, 2004, a conspiracy was hatched between Vanzara, former ADGP P P Pandey and former IB director Rajinder Kumar to eliminate the detainees at Bunglow no. 15 of Shahibaugh area," according to the reply.
The IO said, "In pursuance of the conspiracy, Vanzara directed another co-accused G L Singhal to visit subsidiary IB office in Ahmedabad and collect the weapons, which were later used in the encounter."
"Vanzara had briefed the officer to execute the operation according to the draft complaint of the fake encounter," the reply said.
CBI had earlier revealed that the FIR of Ishrat Jahan encounter case was pre-drafted one week prior to the killings.
