Modis Sohrabuddin remark against Gujarats stand, says ex-State lawyer Tulsi

Gujarat governments former counsel in the Supreme Court, K T S Tulsi, said today that Chief Minister Narender Modis remarks justifying killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh in 2005 fake encounter is completely opposite to the stand taken by the State government in the apex court and it has created lot of confusion.

By Ravinder Singh Robin

Wagah, Dec 8 : Gujarat government's former counsel in the Supreme Court, K T S Tulsi, said today that Chief Minister Narender Modi's remarks justifying killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh in 2005 fake encounter is completely opposite to the stand taken by the State government in the apex court and it has created lot of confusion.

Gujarat Government had submitted to the Supreme Court that the encounter of Sohrabuddin Sheikh by Gujarat police in November 2005 in Gujarat was "fake".

On the State Government's decision to replace him with another lawyer to contest the case in the Supreme Court, Tulsi said he would not present the case of the government in the court which "justifies a cold blooded murder."

"I can't justify this argument (Modi's argument) in the court for government," Tulsi, who was on his way back from a visit to Pakistan, told reporters here.

However, Tulsi has left an option open of changing his mind if Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi changed his stand on Sohrabuddin case.

While saying that the government has full right to replace the lawyer, Tulsi said he was helpless and could not plead the case "under the circumstances."

After Tulsi resigned in connection with Modi's remarks about the 2005 fake encounter of Sohrabuddin Sheikh, the State Government appointed Supreme Court lawyer Ranjit Kumar in the case.

Earlier, Tulsi asked Modi to explain and apologise for his remarks failing which he would quit as counsel in the Sohrabuddin case.

Tulsi also accused Modi of playing "ducks and drakes" with the rule of law and the Supreme Court by making remarks justifying the Sohrabuddin killing.

At an election rally in Jamnagar District on December 4, Modi admitted that Sohrabuddin Sheikh's encounter did happen in Gujarat, saying the latter got what he deserved.

"Yes, Sohrabuddin's encounter happened in Gujarat, and if Sonia Gandhi (United Progressive Alliance Chairperson) wants she can hang me for this," said Modi.

Sohrabuddin Sheikh, was reportedly gunned down on November 26, 2005 after being branded a Lashkar-e-Toiba militant by the Gujarat Police, allegedly trying to hatch a conspiracy to kill Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. The cops also allegedly killed Sohrabuddin's wife, Kausar Bi.

ANI