Ahmedabad, Nov 03: None of the witnesses from Vatva area of the city, who were scheduled to depose before the two-man inquiry commission probing the post-Godhra riots, turned up today. The 15 witnesses, whose deposition could not be recorded during the Diwali break, and were listed to depose this morning, did not turn up even as the commission, comprising Justice (Retd) G T Nanavati and Justice (Retd) K G Shah, decided not to include new witnesses who would appear after 11 am today.

The commission, however, agreed to admit the affidavit of a riot victim from Vatva, who had approached the probe panel only today but said they would not record his statements as it would be a trend that they would have to follow at each instance when victims come late. Earlier, around 264 riot victims in 22 groups of Vatva area had deposed before the commission on September 19.

The commission also announced further date for recording statements with November 06 being scheduled for Meghaninagar area and November 24 onwards slated for the sensitive Sarkhej and other areas that come under Ahmedabad rural police jurisdiction.

Bureau Report