Celebratory firing in retired IPS officer DG Vanzara's rally, police order probe

 Rajkot: Retired IPS officer DG Vanzara's supporters allegedly fired celebratory gunshots in the air during his rally in Gondal town here on Sunday, prompting police to launch a probe into the incident.

The controversial former Gujarat police officer, a key accused in the alleged fake encounters of Ishrat Jahan, Sohrabuddin Sheikh and Tulsi Prajapati, was in Gondal to take part in the rally organised by his supporters to felicitate him.

A video clip of the incident, which immediately went viral on social media platforms, purportedly showed some persons firing in the air as the rally passed through a busy road.

Two persons carrying guns are seen standing beside Vanzara in an open jeep, while a few others are wielding their guns and dancing with a group of supporters on the road.

In the video, at least five to six persons can be seen carrying guns, two of them firing in the air.

After learning about the incident, Rajkot SP Antrip Sood ordered an inquiry into it.

"After we got to know about the incident, I ordered an inquiry into it and asked police officials in Gondal town to probe the matter," he said.

"We are also collecting videos of the celebratory firing to find out who were involved in it. We will take appropriate action," the SP said.

Vanzara was arrested on 24 April, 2007 by CID (Crime) in connection with the 2005 Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case. In September 2014, a Mumbai court gave him bail in the Soharabuddin and Tulsi Prajapati alleged fake encounter cases, a year before he was granted bail in Ishrat Jahan case.

On April 2, a special CBI court relaxed bail conditions for Vanzara, removing prohibition on his movement and allowing him to enter and stay in Gujarat.