THANE: The Gujarat High Court-appointed Special Investigation Team's conclusion that 19-year-old Ishrat Jehan was killed in a fake encounter has come as huge relief for the college girl's family in Mumbra near Mumbai.
"We have suffered tough times in the last seven years. Our world collapsed after the death of Ishrat (the eldest of the five siblings), but the people of Mumbra were very supportive during these times and vouched for my daughter's innocence," said Ishrat's mother, Shamima Kausar. She thanked NCP leader Jitendra Awhadfor "standing like a rock" by them.
"(He) helped us all through," she added.
Shamima said the Gujarat government and police were uncooperative and humiliated them.
"I went to Ahmedabad and pleaded with a senior police officer to accept my application for a probe into the killing. He refused point-blank to accept any letter from me and told me not to expect any cooperation from them. I persisted and after seven-long years justice has been done," Kausar said.
Awhad, who also financially supported the family, said the verdict was not the end of the battle. "I will not rest till the brain behind the trigger-happy cops is put on trial." Narendra Modi should be held accountable for these killings. We will follow the case till its logical conclusion and issues such as demanding compensation for Ishrat's family will be decided later," he said.
The NCP leader said his instincts told him the girl was innocent.
It was very clear to me from day one that power had gone to the heads of the police officials and they had killed Ishrat in cold blood and faked the killing. I followed my instinct and decided to assist the family to restore their self-respect," he said.
Awhad said the principal of Mumbai's Khalsa College, where Ishrat studied also vouched for the girl, who was a sincere student and never missed classes.
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