Jaipur: The central government has given its nod for a CBI probe into the alleged encounter killing of notorious Rajasthan gangster Anandpal Singh in July, informed sources said.

The central government has informed the home department that the case is being handed over to the CBI, the sources said.

With the central government's nod for a CBI probe, the state government has breathed easy.

The BJP state government had requested a CBI probe in a letter sent on July 24. However, the CBI rejected the request on November 15, citing lack of evidence in the case for initiating a probe.

The state government again wrote to the central government on December 17 pleading that discontent among Rajputs was growing as their primary demand for a CBI investigation has not been accepted. The government warned in a letter that not ordering a CBI probe could worsen the law and order situation in the state.

Anandpal Singh was killed in a police encounter in Malasar village of Churu district on June 24. His family members questioned the credibility of the encounter and claimed he was killed even though he wanted to surrender. 

The police officials in their defence said that he was asked to surrender several times, but he had opened fire on policemen.

Rajasthan's influential Rajput community had resorted to massive protests over the killing, blocking roads, and vandalised public property to press for an inquiry into what they alleged was a staged encounter. 

One person was killed and 32 injured in clashes in Sanrad village. 

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Prayagraj (PTI): The Allahabad High Court has granted protection to a married couple who expressed fear that they may be killed by the woman's family.

The order was passed by a division bench comprising Justice JJ Munir and Justice Tarun Saxena on March 25.

"No individual can make an 'honour issue' out of a consenting adult marrying a person of their own choice. It is the state's duty to protect the life, limb, and property of such persons even against their own family members," the bench said.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Prachi Agrawal and her partner, who sought relief in connection with an FIR filed under Section 87 of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for kidnapping, and abducting or inducing a woman to compel her marriage.

The couple submitted that they married at an Arya Samaj temple and possessed a marriage registration certificate issued under the Uttar Pradesh Marriage Registration Rules, 2017.

The petitioners alleged that the woman's family members were averse to their marriage and lodged a bogus FIR against them.

The couple further submitted a joint affidavit expressing apprehension of an honour killing by the woman's family.

The court said that a prima facie case was made out and issued notice to the private respondent and granted two weeks to file a counter-affidavit.

Meanwhile, as an interim measure, the court granted the petitioners protection from arrest.

The court also explicitly ordered the woman's family members and relatives not to harm the petitioners, enter their matrimonial home, or establish contact with them directly or through any electronic means.

The bench directed the Aligarh senior superintendent of police to ensure that no harm comes to the couple and posted the matter for hearing on April 8.