By Muslim Mirror News
New Delhi, February 21 : In a surprising turn of events, CBI court on Wednesday discharged former Gujarat DGP P.P Pandey in Ishrat Jahan encounter case. Pandey was head of the state crime branch when Jahan was killed in an alleged fake encounter in Ahmedabad.
Arrested in 2013 by CBI on charges of conspiracy, murder and kidnapping of a 19 year old Mumbai girl Ishrat Jahan and three others – including two alleged Pakistani nationals – Pandey spent more than 18 months in jail. Prior to the judgement he was already released on bail in February 2015 and reinstated in the state police.
It is pertinent to mention that Pandey is the first accused in the case to be discharged from the trial. Other accused include IPS (retired) DG Vanzara, IPS GL Singhal, DSP (retired) NK Amin and DSP (retired) Tarun Barot.
Earlier, CBI had opposed Pandey’s discharge. In a written response to the special court, agency had stated he was actively involved in the conspiracy to kill Jahan and that eyewitnesses corroborated his role.