Barmer Court Orders Murder Charges Against 24 Policemen, Including Two IPS Officers, in Kamlesh Prajapati Encounter Case

CBI Closure Report Rejected; Court Calls for Probe into Ex-Minister and Senior Officials’ Role

BARMER, April 21 — In a major judicial development, a CBI special court in Barmer has ordered murder charges to be registered against 24 police personnel, including two IPS officers, in the alleged fake encounter of Kamlesh Prajapati. The court has also directed the CBI to investigate the role of former Revenue Minister and current Baytu MLA Harish Chaudhary, his brother Manish Chaudhary, and then IG Navjyoti Gogoi.

The order, issued on April 16, 2025, comes after the court rejected the CBI’s closure report, which had concluded that there was insufficient evidence to prove the encounter was staged. The court has asked the CBI to submit a detailed report within two months.

Background of the Encounter

According to the FIR filed by then DSP of the SC/ST Cell, Pushpendra Adha, the encounter occurred on April 22, 2021, behind St. Paul’s School in Barmer. Police had gone to apprehend Prajapati, who allegedly tried to escape in an SUV by ramming through the gate. In response, police commandos opened fire, leading to his death. CCTV footage from the site later surfaced, raising doubts about the official account.

Following the incident, police seized a significant cache of items during a search operation, including:

• ₹59.69 lakh in cash

• 11 luxury vehicles

• 5 illegal pistols, 9 magazines, and 121 live cartridges

• Over 4 kg of narcotics

• Multiple mobile phones, dongles, and an ATM card

CBI Investigation and Court’s Rejection of Closure Report

The CBI took over the case on May 31, 2021, after public outcry and protests led by then Pachpadra MLA Madan Prajapat and local community members. The CBI filed an FIR on July 5, 2021, and after an extended investigation, submitted a negative closure report, asserting that evidence failed to prove the encounter was staged.

However, Jasoda, the widow of Kamlesh Prajapati, challenged the closure in court on March 28, 2023, claiming:

• Key suspects like Harish Chaudhary were not questioned

• CCTV footage from their home was deliberately erased

• No impartial investigation was conducted

Court Orders Fresh Murder Case and Expanded Probe

The court found merit in the petition and ordered the registration of a murder case against senior police officers, including:

• Then Pali SP Kaluram Rawat

• Then Barmer SP Anand Sharma

The court further directed the CBI to include the roles of political and administrative figures such as Harish Chaudhary, Manish Chaudhary, and IG Navjyoti Gogoi in its ongoing investigation.

Wider Implications and Legal Action Ahead

The ruling is expected to reignite discussions around police accountability, political interference, and the integrity of encounter operations in India. With the CBI now tasked with revisiting its probe, the case is likely to gain national attention as a test of judicial oversight and transparency in criminal justice.