GANDHINAGAR, Dec 4: The Gujarat government has directed the sub-divisional magistrate of Ahmedabad to inquire into the circumstances that led to the death of underworld don Abdul Latif Abdul Wahab Sheikh in a police encounter last Saturday. Addressing a weekly news conference here on Wednesday, Chief Minister Dilip Parikh said the sub-divisional magistrate would inquire into whether the police action of opening fire in the encounter was appropriate.

The inquiry would also find out whether the police had worked out any alternative plans before the encounter.

Parikh said the DIG of Ahmedabad Range, Geeta Johri, had been directed to conduct a probe into how Latif had escaped from police custody and if the police officers concerned had committed any negligence of duty in this case.

Meanwhile, Abdul Majid Sheikh, father of Abdul Wahab, another gangster lodged in Sabarmati Central Jail, has filed a petition in the Gujarat High Court seeking protection for his son.

In the petition, Abdul Majid has submitted that Wahab should be provided with adequate police protection if he is taken out of Sabarmati jail. Also, his advocate should be allowed to accompany Wahab, the petition says. The petition is likely to come up for hearing on Thursday.

The government also sent a chronology of the events that led to the death of Latif. This is what the government says happened:

November 28: Prohibitionary orders under section 268 of CrPC - which meant Latif need not be taken out of jail - was revoked for November 28 - December 2.

November 28, noon: Latif taken out of Sabarmati Central Jail by police inspector and interrogated at Noblenagar police chowki.

November 29, 12:30 am: Government vehicle carrying accused leaves for Gaekwad Haveli lock-up from Noblenagar police chowki under police security.

12:45 am: Accused escapes under the pretext of answering nature's call.

1:15 am: Sub-inspector R B Joshi lodges complaint about Latif's escape at Sardarnagar police station.

2:10 am: Latif fires at police from ruins behind Noblenagar. He is killed on the spot after police fire 16 rounds in self-defence.

3:00 pm: Latif's body handed over to relatives at his residence.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.