Anandpal Encounter: Will provide all possible help to Rajput outfits, says Gulab Chand Katariya

In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, former Home Minister Gulab Singh Katariya said that he had warned the Rajput Sangh of the difficulties when they insisted on a CBI probe. The statement of the leader comes against the backdrop of the charge sheet filed by the CBI against 24 Rajput leaders.

Jaipur:After the Central Bureau of Investigation filed a chargesheet against 24 people over the alleged fake encounter of gangster Anandpal Singh, the opposition launched an attack on the BJP government. Congress said that the move is politically motivated and an attempt by the BJP govt to tarnish the image of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. It came as a jolt to the community as Rajput outfits had termed the encounter fake and demanded a CBI probe.

Pratap Singh Khachariyavas, Rajasthan Transport Minister, said, "The CBI conducted a fake probe into the Sanvrad violence. People demanding justice are declared as accused. This is totally unfair and it is backed up by BJP to malign the image of Gehlot government.

Anandpal Singh was allegedly shot dead in an encounter on June 24, 2017 which led to widespread outrage. The BJP’s Vasundhara Raje government was in power in the state at that time. Singh belonged to a low caste in the Rajput community but was considered to be an icon of the community as he voiced his opinion against the powerful Jat liquor and extortion mafia in Rajasthan.

Leaders of the Rajput outfits had claimed that BJP was trying to suppress the voices of the Sangh, demanding justice. Protests were held by the Rajput leaders which were even stretched to the state capital Jaipur.

Responding to Khachariyavas's statement, Gulab Chand Katariya, former Home Minister, said that he had earlier warned Rajput leaders of the difficulties when they insisted on a CBI probe.

"I am ready to provide all possible help to Rajput leaders, "he said, adding that the case was handed over to the CBI after they insisted.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Katariya said, "The case of Anandpal encounter was handed over to the CBI after the Rajasthan government issued a notification following the consent of Rajput leaders. Everything has been kept on record and the allegations made by Pratap Singh Khachariwas are completely baseless."

He went on to add, "It was due to the pressure of Rajput leaders that the case was handed over the CBI. A consent letter was also signed which stated that matter would be investigated by the CBI. I have signed the letters, along with all the Rajput leaders."

Recalling the Sohrabuddin's encounter case, Katariya, who is also the leader of the opposition, said, "I am a victim of CBI. I was not involved in Sohrabuddin encounter but still was harassed and questioned by the CBI multiple times."

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Katariya was discharged by a special court hearing the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, citing lack of evidence. He was arrested for his alleged involvement to be a part of the conspiracy to eliminate Sohrabuddin at the behest of the marble lobby in Rajasthan.

Talking about the Memorandum of Understanding prepared in Anandpal Encounter case, Katariya said, "All the Rajput leaders and the state government had approved and signed it. I am ready to provide all the possible help to Rajput leaders. I support the truth. CBI should function under the Central government."