Cops role in Gujarat riots questioned again

LAWYER- ACTIVIST Mukul Sinha and a Jan Sangharsh Manch ( JSM) delegation on Wednesday met R. K. Raghavan, chief of the special investigation team ( SIT), investigating the Gujarat riots.

They submitted an application for further investigation under Section 120- B of the Indian Penal Code into the Naroda Patiya and Naroda Gam massacre and for further probe into the role of the senior police officers, including P. C. Pandey, M. K. Tandon, P. B. Gondia and K. K. Mysorewala.

Sinha also sought a complete analysis and proper investigation into the telephone call records submitted by IPS officer Rahul Sharma to the SIT. The JSM said the investigating officer of Naroda Patiya case had not made proper analysis of the phone call records, which helped many senior politicians, including the then home minister Gordhan Zadaphia, senior police officers and officers at the chief minister’s office escape arrest.

“ The analysis of the phone calls also shows that Zadaphia and police officers like Mysorewala were in constant touch with riot accused such as Bipin Panchal, Jaydeep Patel and Maya Kodnani,” Sinha said.

Sinha said the analysis of phone calls on February 28, 2002, revealed that the senior police officers like Tandon and Gondia both had moved away from Gulbarg Society, giving free hand to the rioters.

“ It appears that a phone call from police officer R. J. Sawani at 12.09 pm prompted Tandon to move away from Gulbarg society,” Sinha said, adding that Sawani’s call details indicate that he was in constant touch with Zadaphia and Patel. “ We have simply asked the SIT to see if these calls were made for any illegal purpose or not,” Sinha added.

Source: Mail Today