Ahmedabad: Issuing non-bailable warrants against the then head constable of Limkheda, named in the chargesheet filed by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for his alleged role in the Bilkis Bano rape and murder case, a local court today (Apr 30, 2004) directed three other policemen to present themselves before the court on May 4.

Chief Judicial Magistrate (Ahmedabad-Rural) S M Pandhya issued non-bailable warrants against the then head constable Somabhai Ghori.

The court also directed two Deputy Superintendents of Police and a retired Police sub-inspector B R Patel, who have been named in the chargesheet filed by CBI, to remain present before the court on May 4.

Patel's advocate pleaded for exemption on the grounds of his daughter's marriage, which the court accepted.

The conditional order was passed, after the counsel for the two Deputy SPs submitted that Dy SP Bhagora and Dy SP Bhabhor today filed criminal revision applications before the Gujarat High Court, seeking quashing of the CBI proceedings in this case.

The CBI has earlier filed chargesheet against 20 persons including 14 who have been arrested and six others. The doctor couple who were absconding surrendered before the court early this week.

The policemen are alleged to have conducted 'shoddy' investigation in the case and dumped nearly 60 kg salt for fast decomposition of the bodies of victims.