SIMI activists' encounter: SC issues notice to Centre, MP govt, asks why case was not handed over to CBI

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to Centre and Madhya Pradesh government in connection with 2016 encounter of SIMI activists in Bhopal.

The Apex Court questioned Centre and Madhya Pradesh government, saying why the case was not handed over to CBI.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had stated that an NIA probe will be conducted into the prison break to trace the possible international links of the eight SIMI activists killed in a police encounter hours after they escaped from Central Jail.

Also, the state government will carry out a separate investigation into the matter, he had said.

"Taking the entire incident seriously, we have taken a decision for a probe by former DGP Nandan Dubey into it," Chouhan had told.

SC notice to Centre & MP govt on 2016 encounter of SIMI activists in Bhopal. SC asked why was the case not handed over to CBI. pic.twitter.com/LCBZDsi8U9

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Soon after the jail break, four officers including the Prison DIG were suspended.

"The escape of terrorists from a jail is a serious matter. That is why we have taken a decision to suspend MP Prison Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Bhopal Central Jail Superintendent, Deputy Jail Superintendent and Assistant Jail Superintendent," the chief minister had informed.

The Chief Minister had also congratulated Bhopal Police as well as the citizens for their swift action.

The undertrials escaped around 2-3 AM after killing a jail security guard by scaling the prison wall with the help of bed sheets.

Also Read | Bhopal encounter: Slain SIMI activists' lawyer Parvez Alam demands High Court monitored probe into incident

The activists were identified as -- Amzad, Zakir Hussain Sadiq, Mohammad Salik, Mujeeb Shaikh, Mehbood Guddu, Mohammad Kalid Ahmed, Aqeel and Majid. (With PTI Inputs)