Controversial Vanzara given post-retirement promotion

New Delhi: Controversial former Gujarat IPS officer DG Vanzara has been given post-retirement promotion as Inspector General by the State government.

Vanzara, who was acquitted in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh and Ishrat Jahan fake encounter cases in 2017 and 2019, respectively, had retired on May 31, 2014 following eight years in jail for alleged involvement in the extrajudicial killings. Vanzara is entitled to pension and salary arrears with effect from September 2007, Indian Express reported.

The report also quoted the notification order issued by the additional chief secretary to the home department of Gujarat government. "Shri DG Vanzara, IPS (GJ 1987) who has been retired in DGIP Grade on 31.05.2014 is promoted to the IGP grade with deemed date in the Pay Band 4 : Rs 37400-67000, Grade pay Rs 10000 (pre-revised) with effect from 29.09.2007.

The orders regarding payment of arrears with respect to deemed date promotion to Shri DG Vanzara IPS (GJ 1987) will be issued separately by the Home Department."

Vanzara, a 1987-batch IPS officer, had retired as the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in 2014.

He was suspended by the state government in May 2007 after his arrest in connection with the alleged fake encounter case of Sohrabuddin Sheikh.

Later, he was also made an accused in the Ishrat Jahan alleged fake encounter case.

The former IPS officer was subsequently discharged in both the cases by special CBI courts, first in August 2017 in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh case, and then in May last year in the Ishrat Jahan case.