Vashishth encounter case transferred to CBI

Investigations into the killing of Manoj Vashishth by the Delhi Police's Special Cell in a restaurant has been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Delhi high court was told on Monday.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain told Justice Ashutosh Kumar that the probe has been transferred to CBI, with the Union Home Ministry issuing the necessary directions on July 10.

Vashishth was shot dead at Sagar Ratna restaurant in Central Delhi's Rajendra Place area in May. His family has alleged that he was shot killed in a "staged shootout" and his wife moved the court last month, seeking the transfer of the investigation to CBI.

According to police, over 50 cases have been registered against Vashishth in Delhi, Mumbai and Chandigarh. Along with his wife and father-in-law, he was also wanted in a case of cheating registered by the Economic Offences Wing, they added.

Vashishth, a resident of West Delhi's Patel Nagar, hailed from UP’s Baghpat city.