In a surprise move, state government on Friday recommended a probe into the killing of a lawyer in Allahabad district court premises and injury to a constable in subsequent clashes to the Central Bureau of Investigation. The accused sub-inspector was also arrested in Allahabad on Fridayafternoon.“Government has recommended a CBI probe into the killing of lawyer Nabi Ahmad in Allahabad district court premises on March 11 and injuring of a constable Ajay Nagar in
clashes thereafter,” IG (Public Grievance) Ashok Mutha Jain disclosed to media persons here on Friday evening. He said that the decision was make as per the demand of the lawyers community as well as from other quarters to ensure free and fair probe. Ashok Mutha Jail further informed that the sub-inspector Shailendra Singh, who allegedly shot the 30-year-old advocate, was arrested in Allahabad. A case of murder has been registered against Singh.
The decision to hand over the matter to CBI was taken after Director General of Police, AK Jain and Principal Secretary (Home) Devashish Panda visited Allahabad and met High Court Chief Justice Dhananjay Y Chandrachood to take stock of the situation. The matter was vociferously raised by the Opposition in the state Assembly, with members creating uproar, leading to disruptions in proceedings and repeated adjournments. Heavy deployment of Rapid Action Force (RAF) continued in and around the high court and the district court premises in Allahabad. The RAF will later be replaced by CRPF, Jain said.
Sources also said that earlier in the day, chief minister, Akhilesh Yadav summoned both AK Jain, and Devashish Panda, and after directly collecting details of the development made so far in the case, had decided to recommend a CBI probe. Sources said that the two officers recommended the same as it would help to cool down the anger of the lawyers and they could now mount pressure on the government during the course of enquiry.
On last Wednesday, when the advocate had an altercation with the SI in Allahabad, Singh pulled out his revolver and fired at him, the victim’s father Mohd Shahid Siddiqui said in an FIR. The sub-inspector fled the spot while the advocate succumbed to injuries within few minutes, the FIR said. However, the cops claimed that the lawyer died when the SI tried to save himself from the advocates who tried to lynch him on the fateful day. They also claimed that the bullet fire incidentally. Both the High Court and District Court premises later witnessed heavy stone-pelting by advocates and torching of numerous vehicles. A police constable, Ajay, got a gunshot in his neck during firing by the lawyers. He was now battling for his life.