New Delhi, Oct 09: Acknowledging that the Supreme Court's observations on the handling of the riot cases by Gujarat government were embarrassing, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, has, however, said that these should be seen in the light of the wider criminal justice system. “I have seen cases as bad and which collapsed totally simply because the system is such," he said on a programme in BBC World when his attention was drawn to the supreme court's observations on the handling of the riot cases by Gujarat government.
In a wide-ranging interview to be telecast tomorrow, Advani said the court was disturbed because of the incidents themselves. "What happened in Gujarat could disturb anyone. And then when one finds that the offenders are not brought to book that certainly creates a strong reaction. But at the same time I am not able to attribute it only to one case. I have seen so many cases," he said.
Asked to comment on an NGO chief and former IAS official Harsh Mendhar's remarks that this was a systematic planned attempt to subvert justice in Gujarat, Advani said, "Even earlier when he made remarks of that kind, I have disagreed with him." "I have seen the events of Gujarat very closely. And I am not willing to accept what harsh said even earlier. So far as the chief justice is concerned, he is in a position where whatever he says, has to be taken seriously," he added. Bureau Report