The Nanavati Commission on Wednesday set the ball rolling for summoning Chief Minister Narendra Modi for cross-examination to probe his alleged role in the 2002 post-Godhra riots.
The Commission appointed to probe the Godhra train inferno and the riots thereafter has directed the State Government to appear before it on June 22 so that the demand for summoning of the Chief Minister and other top politicians can be deliberated.
Government counsel TS Nanavati on Wednesday assured the Commission that the State Advocate General would appear before it on June 22 for a hearing on the issue. The Jan Sangharsh Manch (JSM), an activists’ group espousing the cause of the 2002 riot victims and survivors, had moved an application in August 2007 demanding the summoning of the Chief Minster, Home Minister Gordha Zadhaphia and others for cross-examination on the basis of telephone call records which showed that the rioters were in constant touch with the dignitaries.
The cellphone call records, procured by IPS officer Rahul Sharma from the two service providers existing then, had tell-tale evidences about the locations and conversations of the rioters with top politicians, bureaucrats and police officers which the JSM claimed to be enough proof about a nexus between them. The Commission had not passed any order on the JSM demand then saying that the call records did not necessarily mean complicity following which the activists’ group had boycotted the proceedings.
Following the Supreme Court appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) using the same phone call records and other evidences to arrest former Minister Mayaben Kodnani and VHP leader Jaydeep Patel, the JSM moved a reminder application again earlier this month demanding the summoning of Modi as well as others for cross examination before the Commission.
JSM counsel Mukul Sinha argued before the Commission that the very reason to expand the scope of the inquiry commission in 2004 was to examine the role of the Chief Minister in the 2002 riots and thus, he had to be summoned.
"The arrest of Mayaben Kodnani and Jaydeep Patel by the SIT is enough evidence to summon the accused", Mukul Sinha argued.
He submitted a 14-point list of evidences in support of his application to summon the Chief Minister for cross examination. The Government counsel told the Commission that the State Advocate General has been asked to appear in the matter following which June 22 was fixed as date for the next hearing.
Source: The Pioneer
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