Ahmedabad: A Special Fast Track Court today (Feb 11, 2004) rejected the anticipatory bail plea of three Gujarat policemen fearing arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for their alleged role in conducting "poor investigation" in the sensational Bilkis Banu gangrape-cum-murder case of the post-Godhra communal riots.

Fast Track Court Judge H P Patel rejected the application on the grounds that applicants are "senior police officials" at present and have also served in Dahod jurisdiction during the time of the incident.

He observed that due to their position, they can hamper investigations and tamper with evidence if they are granted anticipatory bail.

The anticipatory bail plea was filed by Idris Abdullah Sayeed, Ramsinh Bhabhor and Ramansinh Bhagora, who served in the Dahod district, and were part of the investigation conducted by Gujarat Police.

The court had yesterday heard arguments from the defence and CBI counsel's and had reserved its order for today.

With the rejection of their anticipatory bails, the arrest of the three is almost imminent, CBI sources said.

The CBI had included the name of these three officials in the FIR (first information report) registered by Banu.