Nearly seven years after a special CBI court acquitted all 22 accused in the Sohrabuddin Shaikh alleged fake encounter case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has told the Bombay High Court it will not file an appeal against the verdict.
Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, appearing for the agency, said, &ldquo;We (CBI) have accepted the acquittal judgment.&rdquo;
Shaikh, alleged to be a gangster, was killed in November 2005 in an encounter near Ahmedabad, along with his wife Kauser Bi and aide Tulsiram Prajapati, purportedly by Gujarat Police officers. The case had triggered nationwide attention for its alleged political links.
In December 2018, the special CBI court acquitted all 22 accused, citing lack of sufficient evidence and failure to prove a conspiracy. The court ruled that the prosecution could not establish any link between the police officers and local politicians.
Shaikh&rsquo;s brothers had appealed against the verdict, claiming that witness statements were inaccurately recorded and the trial process was flawed. The bench has now asked them to submit a list of witnesses whose testimonies were allegedly misrepresented and posted the matter for hearing on October 15.
With the CBI&rsquo;s decision not to pursue further legal action, the high-profile case that once drew national headlines appears to have reached its final legal closure&nbsp;barring any new developments from the victims&rsquo; family appeal.

CBI Accepts Acquittal in Sohrabuddin Case

CBI ends 7-year wait, won’t appeal acquittal of 22 accused in Sohrabuddin case

CBI Accepts Acquittal in Sohrabuddin Case

CBI ends 7-year wait, won’t appeal acquittal of 22 accused in Sohrabuddin case

October 8, 2025 | 20:27 IST