New Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS) Rubabuddin Sheikh, the brother of Sohrabuddin Sheikh who was killed in an allegedly staged shootout by Gujarat police three years ago, says he has “no faith” in the Madhya Pradesh police, which has been directed by the Supreme Court to provide protection to the family.
“I am living under constant threat and am extremely worried for the security of my family. I have no faith in Madhya Pradesh police as they are just like the Gujarat police,” Rubabuddin told IANS over phone from Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh.
Rubabuddin had moved the apex court against the killing of Sohrabuddin and two others in November 2005 after they were allegedly abducted by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of the Gujarat police.
Fearing for his life, Rubabuddin had written to the inspector general of police, Ujjain range, almost a fortnight ago, raising security concerns and urging protection for his family members, but has not heard anything.
“I have a personal security officer provided by the Madhya Pradesh police but there is no protection for my other family members. We keep on receiving threatening phone calls from blank numbers and mobile text messages from strangers demanding to take back the case from the apex court. Despite several complaints to the police, no action has been taken,” Rubabuddin said.
The Supreme Court had Tuesday halted the trial of Gujarat’s suspended police officials for their alleged role in the controversial killing of Soharabuddin, his wife Kausar Bi and their friend Tulsiram Prajapati in what was reported to be a staged gun battle in November 2005.
The court halted the trial on allegations that a team headed by Gujarat’s Inspector General of Police Geetha Johri, which has been probing the case on the apex court’s order, has deliberately botched the investigation to shield some police officers.
It also directed the Madhya Pradesh police to provide all necessary protection to the family of Rubabuddin Sheikh.
“I am apprehensive about the steps of the state government to comply with the orders of the apex court. The Ujjain district authorities have been sitting on my application for a pistol licence for the last several months. Three of my brothers have been denied weapon licences by the authorities,” Rubabuddin said.
In 2005, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) headed by DIG D.G. Vanjhara had announced Sheikh’s killing in a shootout with police and said he was a terrorist and on a mission to assassinate Chief Minister Narendra Modi and other prominent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders. His wife Kauser Bi was also subsequently killed and her body disposed of.