CBI on Thursday arrested former Rajasthan Minister and BJP MLA Rajendra Rathore for his alleged involvement in the fake encounter case of local liquor smuggler Dara Singh in 2006.

Dara Singh, a resident of a village in Churu district of Rajasthan was allegedly killed by Special Operation Group (SOG), in the outskirts of Jaipur on October 23, 2006. On a petition filed by the wife of Dara Singh, the Supreme Court had directed the CBI to take up the investigation of this encounter. The probe agency has took up the investigation of this fake encounter case in April 2010.

The investigation revealed that Dara Singh was allegedly killed in a fake encounter. After investigation, a chargesheet was filled by the probe agency on June 3, 2011 in the court of chief judicial magistrate in Jaipur. The probe agency has chargesheeted 16 people, including additional director general crime, SP special operation group and additional SP (SOG). At present, 12 accused persons are in judicial custody. Three policemen and one person is absconding.

Rathore, before his arrest claimed that he was being implicated falsely at the behest of the Congress government. "I did not know the person who was killed in the encounter before the incident was reported in newspapers next day in October 2006," the former Public Works Minister said.

"It is very unfortunate that I am being implicated falsely but it is fortunate that you all are gathered here to give me moral support. I will return and resume my work to strengthen the party," he said before his arrest at a public meeting which was attended by BJP leaders including Vasundhara Raje.