By IANS,
Gandhinagar: The Gujarat High Court Monday fixed April 22 for the next hearing on whether Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi should be summoned by the Nanavati-Mehta panel probing the 2002 communal riots in the state.
Petitioner Mukul Sinha of Jan Sangharsh Manch concluded his arguments and counsel for the state government sought time to argue the matter.
Appearing before the bench comprising Chief Justice S.J. Mukhopadhaya and Justice Akil Kureshi, Sinha said that the court had the jurisdiction to direct the commission of inquiry to quiz the chief minister.
The court earlier asked both the parties as to whether it could direct a commission of inquiry in any manner.
Sinha said that questioning of Modi, other ministers and police personnel by the commission was essential as failing to do so would defeat the purpose behind the inquiry.
Sinha earlier moved an application before the Justices (retired) Nanavati-Mehta inquiry commission to summon Modi and others over their alleged role in the riots.
After the plea was rejected, he moved the high court.