Vanzara seeks exemption from Ahmedabad court appearance

Former DIG of Gujarat police D.G. Vanzara sought exemption on Friday from appearing before the Ahmedabad CBI Court in the Ishrat Jahan case.

Surrounded by security personnel — both armed and unarmed — Mr. Vanzara made his first appearance before the special CBI Court in Mumbai hearing the Sohrabuddin and Tulsiram Prajapati fake encounter cases.

“According to the Bombay High Court’s conditions, I have to stay here. Since I have to appear thrice before the court, it is not possible for me to travel to Ahmedabad. I will also have to seek the court’s permission to do so. Therefore, I have filed an exemption application, citing medical reasons,” Mr. Vanzara told

The Hindu .

He has been granted bail in the Ishrat Jahan case.

Mr. Vanzara was recently released from the Sabarmati prison after being jailed for seven years. “According to the bail conditions in the Ishrat Jahan case, I have been directed to present myself before the Ahmedabad CBI court on the first, third and fifth Saturday of every month,” he said. But according to the conditions of bail granted to him by the Bombay High Court in the Sohrabuddin and Tulsiram Prajapati cases, he has been directed to stay in Mumbai. He has also been disallowed entry into Gujarat. The bail conditions in the Sohrabuddin case also necessitate his appearance before the CBI court here every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

“I have spinal cord problems. It is therefore difficult for me to travel,” he said.

Soon after he was released from the Sabarmati prison this week, the former Gujarat top cop had said that “achche din” were back for him.