Gujarat encounter: Johri takes charge of probe

Geetha Johri, the senior cop who headed the team that conducted a preliminary inquiry into the Gujarat fake encounter, on Friday took charge as the supervisory officer of CID (Crime) probing the 2005 incident.

With police remand of the three IPS officers arrested in the case ending on Saturday, the CID would try to ferret out as much information as possible from the accused.

There is a possibility that the CID might seek further police remand for the three considering the fact that Johri has taken charge only on Friday.

Rajnish Rai, a senior police offical, was on Thursday suddenly asked to discontinue with the probe and handover the charge to Johri, who had earlier investigated the matter.

She is credited with with having done much to nail the three senios IPS officers responsible for the killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh, an alleged extortionist, who was dubbed a terrorist and done away with.

Rai, who was instrumental in the arrest of the three IPS officers, including D G Vanzara, was on Thursday given oral instructions to discontinue his work in the case.

The Supreme Court on Thursday sought a report from the state government on an allegation that Johri, who headed the team that conducted a preliminary inquiry into the fake encounter, had been taken off the investigation.