Sohrabuddin Case: CPI Leader K. Narayana Welcomes Supreme Court Scrutiny

CPI leader K. Narayana has welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to examine the acquittal of 22 accused in the 2005 Sohrabuddin Sheikh alleged encounter case. The Supreme Court has issued notices to the acquitted accused and the CBI on a plea challenging the Bombay High Court’s decision, while noting concerns over the large number of prosecution witnesses who turned hostile. However, the court has made it clear that it will not reopen the earlier discharge of Union Home Minister Amit Shah from the case.

Narayana said the deaths of Sohrabuddin Sheikh, his wife Kausar Bi and his associate Tulsiram Prajapati had raised serious legal and public concerns. He also referred to the death of Judge B.H. Loya, who had been presiding over the case, and urged the Supreme Court to examine the legally permissible aspects of the proceedings relating to Shah’s discharge, Judge Loya’s death and the cases involving other accused. He further called for special security and protection for the judges hearing such sensitive matters so that they can perform their constitutional duties independently and without fear or pressure.