Sohrab case: CBI opposes bail plea of accused IPS officer

Ahmedabad: The CBI, on Friday, opposed the bail plea of suspended IPS officer Abhay Chudasama, a key accused in the 2005 Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, in the Gujarat High Court, saying that if let out he could intimidate witnesses and tamper with evidence of the case.

The Central agency further contended in its affidavit filed in the court on Friday that they have evidence to believe that if let out on bail, Chudasama could influence witnesses in the Tulsi Prajapati fake encounter case, which it was investigating on orders of the Supreme Court.

Justice K M Thaker hearing the case asked Chudasama's lawyers to file reply to the CBI's affidavit by November 24, when the next hearing is scheduled.

In the affidavit, CBI has said that Chudasama played a key role in conspiracy of fake encounter of Sohrabuddin and murder of his wife Kausar Bi. He was involved in the extortion racket run by Sohrabuddin.

It further said that Chudasama had threatened key witnesses in the case Dashrat Patel and his brother Raman Patel, the owners of Popular Builders company.

Chudasama was the one who had offered Rs 50 lakh to Sohrabuddin's brother Rubabuddin Sheikh to withdraw his petition from the Supreme Court.

The CBI while opposing Chudasama's bail also cited the 2006 Tulsiram Prajapati encounter case that it was investigating and claimed that the probe in this case was at very critical stage and Chudasama if set free could influence evidence in the case.