PUCL demands independent probe panel in Rajkot immolation case

People's Union For Civil Liberties (PUCL), Gujarat today demanded setting up of an independent probe panel to find out the reasons behind the self-immolation by five members of a family in Rajkot last month.
"We strongly suspect that police are not investigating the case and arresting the real culprits responsible for the 'self immolation' by five people and shielding some powerful politicians involved in it," said member of the 'fact finding team' of PUCL, Balendra Vaghela told reporters here.
"We demand an independent and high powered probe panel headed by a retired High Court Judge," he said.
On April 3, five members of a Nepalese family, facing demolition of their house by civic authorities poured kerosene and set themselves on fire opposite Rajkot Municipal Commissioner's office.

Three of them died on the same day while two members succumbed to their burn injuries few days later.
"From our inquiry, we strongly suspect that death of these five people is the result of a conspiracy hatched on behalf of land mafia and highly connected politicians, which even after a month are roaming scot-free," he said.
The 'fact finding' team of PUCL had visited Rajkot and prepared a report based on interviews with the victims' family, Rajkot Municipal Commissioner and deputy commissioner, security personnel and people who were present at the time, journalists, Police Commissioner among others.
Yesterday, Gujarat High Court, while refusing to intervene in the ongoing investigation by Gujarat police, had rejected a PIL seeking CBI probe in the incident.