Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) has summoned Gujarat minister of state for Home Shri Amit Shah, and asked him to present before the CBI office at Gandihinagar by 1.00 pm today in connection with alleged cover-up in Sohrabuddin fake encounter case.

CBI posted summons at Shah’s residence and office stating that he has to appear before CBI by 1pm on Thursday. Here is complete text of that piece of paper glued over Amit Shah’s residence at Shivkunj society of Naranpura area in Ahmedabad signed by CBI’s Superintendent of Police and Chief Investigating Officer, Amitabh Thakur on 22nd of July 2010. No one was present at Amit Shah’s residence when CBI cops arrived at Shah’s residence to post the summons.

“Where as it appears that you are acquainted with the circumstances of the case noted below, which I am now investigating under Chapter XIV of the code of criminal procedure, you are hereby required to present before me on 22nd day of July 2010 at 1 Hrs at CBI office at Block No.11.3rd Floor, Old Secretariat, Gandhinagar for the purpose of your examination relating to the case.”

What next?

It is learnt that Shah will appear before CBI. However when, is upto Shah. He or his legal team can say that the summon notice period is too short and he needs time. CBI has clarified that though they have asked Shah to appear by 1.00 pm, the are ready to wait for him throughout the day. Shah has also option to apply anticipatory bail, however at this stage whether it is needed or not is big question.

Shah’s arrest is possible, but not certain. If CBI has valid evidences and direct witnesses, it could arrest Shah.

It is very much possible that at this stage, the CBI just wants to investigate Shah in light of his phone call talks with his officers involved in encounters. CBI had earlier summoned two police officials OP Mathur and Geetha Johri, but they were not arrested. They were just interrogated. Same might happen with Shah. CBI has to produce chargsheet in this case by 26th of this month.

If CBI arrests Shah, he has to be taken to CBI court in Ahmedabad on Friday. CBI has to have valid reasons and primary evidences to prove validity of Shah’s arrest in CBI court within 24 hours. It is not clear whether CBI has such evidences and witnesses or not.

What happens next would be interesting to know. BJP government’s spokesperson Jaynarayan Vyas has said that this summon to Shah is purely a procedure. At 3pm there is press conference of central BJP in Delhi. This issue is likely to come in discussion there.

Gujarat Congress has started giving statements on this issue. State Congress leader Shankarsinh Vaghela clarified that Shah has been summoned by CBI – the agency working under Supreme Court order. The central government is not involved in this.

Sources in Delhi says, while Shah is minister of state for Home in Gujarat, it is Narendra Modi who is the cabinet minister of Home department. After Shah there could be Modi too in CBI net, if Shah is arrested and then remanded and if he speaks a word on his involvement under CBI pressure eventually.

If Shah is arrested, the state BJP could possibly announce Gujarat Bandh, a one-day statewide strike. However it is being discussed that such bandh call should be given at this stage or sometime in future. There is also an opinion that the party should not give bandh call as it is in power, but some affiliated body should give and party should then support it.Lots of things will be brewing in next some days politically.

Minister Mayaben Kodnani had resigned from her ministerial post some hours before her arrest in March last year. Modi had sent here resignation to Governor for acceptance. Kodnani had resigned after her anticipatory bail application was denied by the Gujarat High Court. It is not clear whether Shah needs to apply for anticipatory bail at this stage or not. However it is sure that if he is arrested, he would sign resignation and give it to the Chief Minister.