Sohrabuddin Encounter Case: Bombay HC Questions Delay In Rababuddin Shaikh’s Plea To Recall Himself As Witness

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday questioned Rababuddin Shaikh, the brother of Sohrabuddin Shaikh, over the delay in his request to be recalled as a witness in the 2005 Sohrabuddin encounter case. The case, in which Sohrabuddin was allegedly killed in a staged encounter by the Gujarat Police, has remained controversial for years.

2018 Acquittal Challenged

In December 2018, a special CBI court in Mumbai acquitted all 22 accused in the case, citing a lack of evidence. Rababuddin subsequently filed an appeal against the acquittal and in the alternate sought a re-trial in the case.

Bench Expresses Scepticism

A bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad expressed skepticism over Rababuddin’s prayer, questioning why he had not sought to recall himself as