Ishrat Jahan case: Was Amjad Ali Rana a terrorist?

While Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in its charge sheet filed in Ishrat case, hasn't mentioned the girl or her gunned-down companions as terrorists, an averment in the 2,000-page document suggests that one of the deceased, Amjad Ali Rana, may have had terror links.

He had apparently come to Ahmedabad to carry out terror strikes in the city.   

An extract from the charge sheet states, "Investigations revealed that on May 26, 2004, a DCB team comprising of accused NK Amin, Tarun Barot and IK Chauhan with the assistance of SIB (Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau) officials, MK Sinha and Rajeev Wankhede, abducted the deceased Amjadali (Amjad Ali Rana) from Gota Crossing on the outskirts of Ahmedabad."

"The above team of accused officers, after abducting the deceased Amjadali, confined him in illegal custody at Arham Farmhouse from May 26 to June 15, 2004 early morning. DG Vanzara, Rajinder Kumar, NK Amin and GL Singhal had met him in illegal confinement. Amjadali had stated that he had come to Ahmedabad with a plan to commit a terrorist act at a crowded location in Ahmedabad."

It is thus evident that though CBI hasn't labelled him a terrorist in the charge sheet, there is a clear mention that he had come to Ahmedabad for a terror strike.

The charge sheet also mentions how Amjad Ali Rana was assassinated by DCB officials. "As per the instructions of GL Singhal to then PSI BA Patel waiting at Arham Farm, Amjadali was brought to the scene of crime in a white Qualis vehicle. BA Patel drove the vehicle but Motibhai Taljabhai escorted Amjadali sitting on the rear seat of the vehicle." CBI further states, "Amjadali was handed over to NK Amin, who made him stand behind the road divider at the backside of the Indica car. NK Amin and Tarun Barot then opened fire at him and three others."

IB, in fact, had raked up this issue in 2009, in an affidavit filed before Gujarat HC. IB, in the affidavit, had stated that Rana had links with Lashkar-e-Toiba. The document was filed during hearing of arguments to hand over the encounter case to CBI, but it was later withdrawn by the central government.