By TCN Special Correspondent,
Ahmedabad: Jan Sagharsh Manch (JSM) representing the victims of 2002 communal riots before the Nanavati Commission has sought cross-examination of IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt over the “role and conduct of’’ Chief Minister Narendra Modi in 2002 riots.
JSM counsel Mukul Sinha told mediapersons here that since Bhatt had levelled the allegations that Modi had instructed officials “to allow Hindus to vent out their anger’’ and wanted “Muslims to be taught a lesson’’ after the Sabarmati train burning incident, it had now become imperative to cross-examine him before the Nanavati Commission that is probing the Godhra and post-Godhra incidents.
Sanjiv Bhatt [Photo: outlookindia]
JSM has filed an application before the commission urging the latter to summon Bhatt for cross examination following his affidavit in the Supreme Court in connection with Zakia Jafri’s petition about the involvement of Modi and 61 others in the larger conspiracy behind the Gujarat riots.
Stating that since “Modi’s credibility is at stake’’ after Bhatt’s revelations in the affidavit, Sinha said that it had become imperative for the state government counsel as well to cross-examine Bhatt.
Asked if the state counsel is not agree to examine Bhatt, Sinha said: “It would mean that the allegations leveled by Bhatt are prima facie sustainable’’.
“It would amount to a great indictment of Modi, the highest executive of the state’’, he further pointed out.
JSM counsel said that the deposition of Bhatt before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) conducting probe into the nine most heinous riot cases , “is legally admissible evidence’’, and therefore, “assumes great importance in the inquiry into the larger conspiracy of the violence from February 28, 2002’’.
Sinha said that the cross examination of Bhatt before the commission would be a “very important material evidence’’ on deciding the “role and conduct of the chief minister and others in the riot.”