Vasundhara Raje cornered over encounters by her own team

Similar to her previous tenure, chief minister Vasundhara Raje’s government is once again rocked by allegations of fake encounters. This time though, the allegations are being made by her own party leaders .

Showing solidarity with their community, BJP’s Rajput leaders have accused the police of killing a youth in a fake encounter in Jaisalmer and have demanded a CBI probe. But despite their pressure, the state government has handed over the matter to the CID (CB).

Superintendent of police Rajiv Pachar said that the state government had decided to hand over the case of Rajput youth Chatur Singh Sodha’s death in police firing to the CID (CB), which would also investigate the attempted kidnapping of a policeman by Chatur Singh and his accomplices.

Chatur Singh was killed in police firing last Saturday. According to the police, he was a history-sheeter with 17 cases against him. On the day he was killed, the police claimed that he had molested women in Gafur Bhatta, then torched houses and assaulted a police constable.

Cops also claimed that when head constable Bhola Singh tried to stop him, Chatur Singh and his gang members tried to kidnap him by pushing him into their vehicle. Another constable fired at the tires of the vehicle but hit Chatur Singh instead.

However, BJP MP from Jodhpur, Mr Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, has said that the cases against Chatur Singh were quite ordinary.

Preliminary investigation has also prove that there was no cross firing from his side and no arms were recovered from his possession. Warning of law and order disturbances because of anger in the community, he said the CM should order a CBI inquiry into this matter to respect people’s sentiments and to ensure justice.

Former minister Mr Devi Singh Bhati compared the incident with the days of the British Raj.

In a statement showing solidarity with the community, MLA Manvendra Singh said, “I am observing the Chutar Singh murder case from the first day. Till the CBI probe is ordered into the matter and all the culprits get punishment I would not keep calm (sic)”.

Former minister Mr Devi Singh Bhati compared the incident with the days of the British Raj. “Just as the police under British Raj killed anybody in encounters and nothing happened, this incident is same in nature. I call upon people to protest against the police excess and I am coming to Jaisalmer to protest against this anarchy (sic),” he said.

During Ms Raje’s previous tenure, her government had faced serious political challenge over the alleged fake encounter of history-sheeter Sohrabuddin and liquor mafia Dara Singh.