Mumbai court frames charges against 22 in encounter case

MUMBAI: A local court today framed charges against 22 accused, including encounter special Pradeep Sharma, in the alleged fake encounter of Ram Narayan Gupta alias Lakkhan Bhaiya, a suspected Chotta Rajan aide.

All the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges of murder, criminal conspiracy, kidnapping and rioting, among others, before the Sessions Court. Sharma is the key accused in the 2006 case.

The trial is likely to start from March 16. Gupta was killed by the police on November 11, 2006 in suburban Versova on suspicion that he was a member of the Chotta Rajan gang. His brother, advocate Ram Prasad Gupta on November 15, 2006, had moved a petition in the Bombay high court alleging he was murdered by police in a fake encounter.

The High Court, in February 2008, ordered a magisterial inquiry into the encounter. In August 2009, the Magistrate, in his report, concluded that Gupta was killed in cold blood.

Later the High Court formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case.

The SIT last year arrested Sharma and senior Inspector Pradeep Suryawanshi, among others. All accused are lodged in the Thane Central Jail.