Ahmedabad: Nanavati Commission, probing
post-Godhra communal riots, has summoned senior IPS officer
Sanjiv Bhatt, who filed an affidavit in Supreme Court
implicating Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on May 16,
sources said.
Sources said that the Commission has asked Bhatt to
appear before it on May 16 after an application filed before
it by Jan Sangarsh Manch (JSM), an NGO representing some of
the riot victims.
The NGO yesterday approached the panel requesting it
to probe role and conduct of chief minister Narendra Modi
during the post-Godhra events, in the wake of the affidavit
filed by Bhatt.
The petition moved by convener Amrish Patel on behalf
of JSM said that deposition of Bhatt "will be very important
and material evidence" on deciding the role and conduct of the
chief minister and others during events that unfolded
post-Godhra.
Bhatt, in an affidavit to the Supreme Court, alleged
Modi of instructing state officials to allow Hindus "to
vent out their anger" during the clashes and wanted Muslims
to be "taught a lesson".
JSM counsel Mukul Sinha had said that it has now
become necessary to examine Bhatt in the wake of revelations
made by him in the affidavit.
He further said that the state government had itself
amended the terms of reference of the Nanavati Commission in
June 2002 for enquiring into the role of chief minister and
others with regard to post-Godhra riots.
Justice GT Nanavati and Justice Akshay Mehta
Commission has already submitted a part of their report
dealing with Godhra train carnage and are in the final stages
of submitting their report on post-Godhra riots.
PTI
