Congress blamed Narendra Modi for Tulsiram Prajapati fake encounter case

New Delhi: Launching a fresh salvo against Narendra Modi, the Congress on Monday claimed that the Gujarat Chief Minister is a “potential accused” in the alleged Tulsiram Prajapati fake encounter case and should be interrogated by the CBI.

The Congress’ attack, which the BJP rubbished as just another “diversionary” tactic, came hours after Mr Modi promised to cleanse the political system and Parliament of criminal elements.

Demanding the arrest of Parag Shah, who was earlier working in the Gujarat CM’s office, Union minister and senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal claimed that he had detailed talks with the police officer who allegedly executed the murder of Prajapati.

“This evidence has come for the first time, which shows that the Chief Minister’s office was directly involved in what was happening with regard to the encounters,” Mr Sibal said, submitting call records of the conversation between Parag with Rajkumar Pandian, who “planned and executed the murder of Prajapati”.

The Congress leader said Parag, who was appointed officer on special duty in the CM’s office was also “associated with the cyber cell of the Anti-Terrorist Squad.

“Parag was also PA to L.K. Advani from June to December 1998, when he was the Union home minister,” he stated in the press note, which also carries details of the CBI chargesheet into the fake encounter cases.

“There can hardly be any doubt that the CM must have been aware of the Prajapati encounter carried out by the police officers working in the ATS, led by Vanzara,” Mr Sibal added.

The Union minister said it is clear from the “circumstantial evidence” that Mr Modi’s office knew as to what was happening in the “conspiracy to eliminate” Prajapati in the fake encounter that took place on December 26, 2006.

“Mr Modi is a potential accused. The circumstantial evidence is clear. We are wondering why the CBI has not arrested Parag Shah and why Modi has not been interrogated. The nation needs to know. The CBI needs to answer. Courts in India should ensure that a proper probe takes place with the arrest of Parag Shah and the summoning of Modi for interrogation,” he said.

Questioning the intention of Congress in raking up the issue now BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi hit back at the grand old party over “clean chit” given to Jagdish Tytler by Congress leader Amarinder Singh in 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

“Non-existential issues are being raked up by the Congress, which has been malicious. Amarinder has tried to prejudge a case,” she said.