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The CBI had given a clean chit in 2014 to Amit Shah on grounds of “insufficient evidence”.
Ahmedabad: Gujarat’s former Deputy Inspector General of Police DG Vanzara on Tuesday told a special court that the CBI wanted to arrest then Chief Minister Narendra Modi and then Minister of State for Home Amit Shah in the Ishrat Jahan fake shootout case.
Arguing for Vanzara in a discharge petition filed in the CBI court presided over by J.K. Pandya, his counsel VD Gajjar claimed that though the Central Bureau of Investigation intended to arrest Modi and Shah, “fortunately” it did not happen.
While Modi is now the Prime Minister of India, Shah is the President of Bharatiya Janata Party.
Vanzara, who is out on bail in the case, had earlier submitted in the same court that Modi was secretly questioned by the case Investigating Officer when he was the Chief Minister.
The CBI had given a clean chit in 2014 to Shah on grounds of “insufficient evidence”.
In June 2004, Mumbai-based 19-year-old Ishrat Jahan, her friend Javed alias Pranesh, and Pakistani nationals Zeeshan Johar and Amzad Ali Rana were gunned down by a team of Vanzara’s men in a gun battle on the outskirts of Ahmedabad.
Ishrat Jahan and her friends were dubbed terrorists out on a mission to assassinate the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi. However, subsequent CBI investigation concluded that the shootout was fake.
Vanzara’s lawyer on Tuesday claimed that the charge-sheet against his client in the case was “concocted” and that there was no prosecutable evidence against the former police officer.
He also said that the testimony of witnesses could not be believed as some were earlier among the accused in the case.
The CBI opposed the discharge plea of Vanzara. Another co-accused and senior police official N.K. Amin too has filed a discharge plea in the same court and hearing on it concluded last month.
In his final submission in the court, Amin, a retired SP and now a practicing lawyer, claimed that Satish Verma, the Gujarat cadre IPS official who assisted the CBI in the investigations, had “tampered with the evidence” and maintained that he had “never fired from his gun”.
Both former police officers had also sought parity with former in-charge DGP P.P. Pandey, a co-accused who was discharged by the court.
The court posted the matter for next hearing on June 15.

Police officials have said that vehicle checks are being conducted at various locations to ensure anti-social elements and those with nefarious plans of creating disorder are kept at bay.
Amritsar: Local police and personnel of Rapid Action Force (RAF) were deployed from the early hours of Wednesday outside the Golden Temple here on the 34th anniversary of Operation Blue Star.
The local administration left nothing to chance and to prevent any possible untoward incident, security was tightened all around the perimeter of the holy Sikh site. Security has also been increased in several parts of the city in order to ensure law and order is maintained, reported news agency ANI.
Police officials have said that vehicle checks are being conducted at various locations to ensure anti-social elements and those with nefarious plans of creating disorder are kept at bay.
In the past, radical outfits like Dal Khalsa have given a call for ‘Amritsar Bandh’ on June 6th and in 2015, five people were injured in clashes inside the Golden Temple complex when a few pro-Khalistan youths had begun shouting slogans. In 2016, pro-Khalistan groups had shouted slogans at Akal Takht here.
Operation Blue Star is a highly-sensitive military operation carried out by Indian forces between June 1 and June 8 of 1984 to flush out pro-Khalistan militants including Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale from inside the Golden Temple.

On June 6 last year at least seven farmers were killed in a police firing in MP’s Mandsaur, triggering a massive national outcry.
BHOPAL: Congress chief Rahul Gandhi will address a rally of farmers in the Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday. Importantly, on this day last year, at least seven farmers were killed in a police firing, triggering a massive outcry. He will also meet the families of those farmers who were killed in police firing last year.
”Every day, about 35 farmers commit suicide in our country. To attract government’s attention towards the agrarian crisis, farmers are forced to protest for 10 days. To stand with them in the fight for the rights of our ‘Annadata’ (food provider), I will address a farmer`s rally in Mandsaur on June 6,” Rahul Gandhi had tweeted earlier.
Ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s rally in Mandsaur, Congress had accused Narendra Modi government of being anti-farmer. The party also confirmed that the Congress chief will meet the families of the farmers killed in police firing last year.
The party also hit out at the BJP government for putting national security at stake, saying the soldiers were now being asked to stitch their own uniform.
Attacking the BJP dispensation at the Centre, Congress leader Mohan Prakash said, ”This government is anti-farmer, anti-poor and is also putting the security of the country at risk because of its wrong policies.”
“The farmers of the country are in distress. They are on strike for the past five days. They are disturbed for the past four years because prices of whatever items they need to buy have doubled. And, whatever they produce and sell, their prices have halved. But Modi government didn’t get time to address these issues in the past four years,” he added.
Criticising PM Modi, Prakash said, ”while farmers were committing suicide, the Prime Minister was busy flying kites in Indonesia in order to facilitate the business interests of Adani Group.”
“On June 6, 2017, seven farmers in Mandsaur (of Madhya Pradesh) were killed in police firing. Tomorrow (Wednesday), all farmers will gather at that place and the Congress president will pay homage to the deceased and meet the families,” Prakash said on Tuesday.
He said the true face of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governments was visible as still there were cases against 7,000 farmers.
The Congress leader said in Maharashtra, 58 farmers died due to pesticides last year and more than 1,000 farmers were admitted in hospitals.
“But even now Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis have not been able to say what chemical or pesticide caused the death of farmers,” he said.
Prakash further said that 373 jawans had died on the borders while the Prime Minister preferred to visit Pakistan uninvited to have “biryani”.
“Now, there are media reports that soldiers are being asked to stitch their own uniforms. The country has gone into the hands of those who are working against its well-being,” he added.

The World Bank has asked Pakistan to climb down from the demand of taking up the issue with the International Court of Arbitration.
The World Bank has asked Pakistan to accept an offer by India to appoint a neutral expert over the dispute over Kishanganga dam, which was inaugurated recently by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to Pakistan-based Dawn News, the World Bank has asked Pakistan to climb down from the demand of taking up the issue with the International Court of Arbitration (ICA).
In May, a high-powered Pakistani delegation led by Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf Ali, met with Kristalina Georgieva, World Bank Chief Executive Officer, and the regional management for South Asia.
During the meetings, held at Pakistan’s request to discuss issues regarding the Indus Waters Treaty and opportunities within the treaty to seek an amicable resolution, “several procedural options” for resolving the disagreement over the interpretation of the treaty’s provisions were discussed, the bank had said.
“While an agreement on the way forward was not reached at the conclusion of the meetings, the World Bank will continue to work with both countries to resolve the issues in an amicable manner and in line with the treaty provisions,” the Bank had said in a statement at the end of the talks.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in May inaugurated the 330 MW Kishanganga hydroelectric project in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan had protested the inauguration claiming that the project on a river flowing into Pakistan will disrupt water supplies.
The project, located at Bandipore in North Kashmir, envisages diversion of water of Kishan Ganga river to underground power house through a 23.25-km-long head race tunnel to generate 1713 million units per annum.
The Kishanganga project was started in 2007 but on May 17, 2010, Pakistan moved for international arbitration against India under the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty.

At least four to six terrorists stormed the Army camp from two sides.
Terrorists on Tuesday evening attacked an Indian Army post in Hajin area of Bandipora in Jammu and Kashmir. According to news agency ANI, at least four to six terrorists stormed the Army camp from two sides. They attacked the camp of Rashtriya Rifles and Hajin police station.
The terrorists reportedly fired around eight rounds using Underbarrel Grenade Launcher towards army and police personnel. They carried out the attack around 8.30 pm.
The fire was retaliated “heavily and effectively”, a senior police officer said, adding that it was not a suicide attack. The area has been cordoned off and combing operations have been started, the officer said.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police posted on Twitter: “Standoff firing by terrorists on security forces at Hajin. Retaliated by security forces. Combing of the area is going on.” And around 15 minutes later, another tweet said, “Firing at Hajan has stopped. Area is being searched. No loss of life and property reported.”

After her fiance, an Islamic State terrorist, died, she vowed to carry out a terrorist attack in London.
London: An 18-year-old woman on Monday became Britain’s youngest convicted female Islamic State terrorist after a court found her guilty of plotting a terror attack on the iconic British Museum with Britain’s first all-woman cell.
Safaa Boular was accused of planning to travel to Syria to join IS militants and later preparing to carry out a terrorist attack in London after her fiance, an Islamic State fighter, died.
A jury at the Old Bailey found her guilty of two offences of preparation of terrorism acts, the BBC reported. She was also found guilty over an earlier attempt to travel to Syria for terrorism.
Her 22-year-old sister Rizlaine has already admitted planning a knife attack on London and their mother Mina Dich, 44, has pleaded guilty to assisting her. Boular will be sentenced in around six week-time, the report said.
During her trial, the court heard how Boular – then 17 – plotted a gun and grenade attack at the British Museum.
The sisters and Dich discussed their plans using Alice in Wonderland coded language, with Rizlaine as the Mad Hatter. Aged 16, Boular was radicalised online in the wake of the 2015 Paris terror attacks.
She met IS fighter Naweed Hussain on Instagram and after three months of chatting, she declared her love for him with an online marriage ceremony.
The court heard how she had wanted to join Hussain in Syria, but her plan was thwarted when British security services confiscated her passport. Boular told the police about Hussain and security services deployed officers to pose as fellow extremists and speak to the pair online.
On April 4, 2017, it was a security services officer, posing as an IS commander, who told Boular that Hussain had been killed in a drone attack. The prosecution claimed this only strengthened her determination to carry out an attack in the UK.
Boular went on to tell officers posing as extremists about plans for an attack and on April 12, she was charged with preparing terrorist acts in Syria.
Despite being in custody, Boular continued to talk to her sister and mother about an Alice in Wonderland-themed tea party – code for an attack. In one call Boular complained: “Mate, you guys are partying without me.”
Rizlaine and Dich carried out reconnaissance of major landmarks in Westminster and bought knives and a rucksack, the court heard.
They were arrested on April 27, the date of the planned attack, along with friend, Khawla Barghouthi.

BSF targeted and destroyed Pakistani outposts after unprovoked firing from the other side killed two of its personnel besides injuring several civilians.
New Delhi: Pakistani forces were, for the second time in less than a month, compelled to appeal for respite after Border Security Force pummeled their outposts in Jammu’s Akhnoor sector on Sunday.
The firing by BSF was done in retaliation after Pakistani forces resorted to open fire in several locations in Akhnoor over Saturday and Sunday. The firing resulted in two BSF personnel – including an officer – giving the supreme sacrifice and several civilians getting injured.
The heavy firing and shelling from the Pakistani side lasted for almost 12 hours in Pragwal area of Akhnoor, Kanachak and Khour sectors of Jammu district and ended 12 days of lull in the border skirmishes.
Pakistani forces also violated ceasefire around the same time in Arnia, RS Pura, Samba and several other sectors.
The firing from across the border in violation of the ceasefire agreement prompted a strong and effective retaliation by the BSF, forcing Pakistani Rangers to buckle down. A commander-level meeting was held at 17:30 pm on Monday with both sides committing to ensure peace.
Pakistan though is guilty of not staying true to commitments made. The BSF last month had said that Pakistan had ‘pleaded’ with them to stop firing along the International Border (IB). At that time as well, the firing was in retaliation to unprovoked firing and shelling from the Pakistanis which had resulted in loss of lives. The promised ceasefire was not adhered to and Pakistani forces had resumed their nefarious activities within hours. The Indian Army and BSF have said while peace is paramount, any provocation will be dealt with with an iron fist.

Opposition MLA Parakkal Abdulla, of the United Democratic Front, triggered a war of words between the ruling LDF and opposition UDF members by walking the floor with mask and gloves.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the wake of Nipah virus outbreak that claimed more than a dozen lives in Kerela, an MLA on Monday wore mask and gloves while attending the Assembly to emphasise on the impact the deadly virus in Kozhikode district.
Opposition MLA Parakkal Abdulla, of the United Democratic Front, triggered a war of words between the ruling LDF and opposition UDF members by walking the floor with mask and gloves.
Kicking up a row, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MLA, who represent Kuttiady constituency, greeted the opposition members wearing the mask and gloves.
While Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, said the member’s behaviour amounted to ‘trivialising’ a serious issue, Health minister, K K Shylaja described it as a ‘ridiculous act.’
Kerela was maintaining extreme vigil following the outbreak of the deadly Nipah virus.
Since the Nipah virus was confirmed, government has taken all necessary steps to contain it. The health department has intervened efficiently.
Even then, the MLA has come to the house wearing a mask which amounted to self ridicule, Vijayan said attacking the member.
Health minister said there are certain criteria for wearing a mask.
If the member was infected by the virus, he should not have come to the house, she said.
Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said he was told by the MLA that in Kozhikode everyone was wearing a mask and walking around and so he had come to the house as a symbolic gesture.
Abdulla said his act was only to bring the government’s attention to the situation in Kuttiyadi-Perambra region, the epicenter of the Nipah virus.
Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan also enquired from the member why he wore the mask.
As many as 16 people have lost their lives so far to Nipah virus (NiV) in two districts – Kozhikode and Malappuram – of the state since the confirmation of the deadly virus on May 17.

Shiv Sena and BJP have been gunning at each other in recent weeks – trading barbs and allegations galore.
New Delhi: In alliance in Maharashtra but under a constant threat from an imminent political divorce, BJP and Shiv Sena ties have plummeted in recent weeks. Amit Shah though will now meet Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai on Wednesday in what could possibly be a bid to calm frayed nerves.
News agency ANI reported that Shah will call on the Shiv Sena chief at his residence as part of BJP’s ‘Sampark for Samarthan’ move. Political analysts believe the meeting could be vital to the future of BJP-Sena relations at a time when the two parties have been gunning at each other despite being alliance partners. Thackeray, in particular, has been relentless and unforgiving in baring his fangs – calling BJP ‘murderous’ and even writing in Saamna – Sena’s mouthpiece – that he felt like hitting BJP’s UP CM Yogi Adityanath with his slippers for disrespecting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. After the recent Palghar bypoll, Sena had also hinted that the Election Commission may be ‘working at the behest of a political party.’
Sena announced in January that it will battle in the Lok Sabha elections next year on its own merit. And at a time when many opposition parties are joining hands to battle BJP, Shah remains hopeful of Sena remaining in the NDA fold and it is this hope that could possibly make Wednesday’s meeting crucial.

Pre-monsoon showers over two days have inundated roads in several parts of the city – an ominous sign ahead of the actual monsoon rains.
Mumbai: The monsoons have not even arrived with full force here and yet, Mumbai streets have once again disappeared under rainwater – leaving locals to once again fend for themselves due to civic apathy.
Flooded streets is a yearly feature in Mumbai and is almost as certain as claims of civic authorities of having carried out exhaustive desilting across the city. The claims fall flat without fail and it was for all to see on Monday when pre-monsoon showers struck Maximum City for the second consecutive day. Roads went under and traffic went haywire in what – unfortunately – have become all-too-familiar scenes for locals. Water-logging was reported from several parts of the city. The video below is from Peddar Road – a busy arterial road in south Mumbai.
Water-logging was reported from the suburbs as well with massive traffic snarls soon becoming a common sight.
Rains each year threaten to throw life out of gear in Mumbai – a city known for its resilient spirit. Locals however have repeatedly voiced their distress at the state of roads and civic amenities during monsoons – being promised a solution each time but hardly ever getting any. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has been in the center of the proverbial storm with allegations of desilting scams bringing it a horrid name. And with the state that Mumbai roads were in on Monday – with monsoon still a day or two away, it is clear that the city will once again have to step up – quite literally.