New Delhi, Nov 22 (IANS): The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Tuesday asked Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to resign over the killings of Ishrat Jahan and three others seven years ago.

"The report of the high court appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) that the so-called encounter killing of Ishrat and others by the Gujarat police in June 2004 was nothing but a cold blooded murder," it said in a statement.

This, it added, "constitutes a severe indictment of the Narendra Modi government which has done everything in its power to shield the criminals in uniform and to assassinate the character of the 19-year-old student.

"The order of the high court to file a fresh FIR and charges of murder against the police officers must be immediately complied with. The accused must be arrested without any delay."

The CPI-M also asked if such a cover-up could have taken place without the acquiescence of the chief minister and top officials in the government.

"The investigation must cover the role of the chief minister in the cover-up and this will not be possible as long as Modi remains in power. Justice for the victims demands that Modi quit office."