By TCN News,
Mumbai: The Citizens for Justice and Peace today released to public the Tehelka magazine’s sting operation tapes wherein Sangh Parivar cadres speak about the direct and indirect role of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in 2002 pogrom. The tapes have been released a day after Modi ignored the summons of and did not appear before the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team in connection with the Gulbarg Society massacre case.
“Today, Tehelka, a magazine devoted to the public interest has permitted the release of portions of these tapes in the public domain. Today we release those portions that expose (a) the arms and bombs distribution in different parts of Gujarat before the Godhra incident i.e February 27, 2002 and b) the direct or indirect role of Shri Modi alleged by BJP and VHP/Bajran Dal cadres on camera that amount to extra judicial confessions. We, at CJP representing the victim survivors of the Gujarat genocidal carnage of 2002 acknowledge the role of Tehelka, express our gratitude to Tehelka and put these out in the public domain in the public interest,” said Teesta Setalvad, Secretary, CJP.
The summons to Chief Minister Narendra Modi on charges of mass murder and criminal conspiracy is historic and unprecedented. There is enough prima facie evidence to lodge an FIR against the accused that includes the chief minister. The present complaint against Modi and 61 others is being investigated by the SIT following an order of the Supreme Court of India in SLP 1088/2008 filed by Zakia Ahsan Jafri, widow of ex-Congress MP Ehsan Jafri was burnt alive along with 29 others in his house in Gulbarg Society in Ahmedabad, and Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) asking for registration of an FIR on charges of mass murder and criminal conspiracy. This complaint was dated June 8, 2006 and went uninvestigated and non-registered by the Gujarat police who was, by the time it was sent, headed by PC Pande, former Commissioner of Police, Ahmedabad, by then promoted to senior most police officer, Director General of Police, Gujarat.
“While the matter was still in the Gujarat High Court a tremendous boost to the complainants was given by the exposure of the extrajudicial confessions of Tehelka’s Operation Kalank (October 2007) that, in many parts spoke of the direct role of chief minister Narendra Modi in directing and masterminding the massacre. These tapes have been authenticated by the CBI under direct orders of the National Human Rights Commission. Both the Gujarat High Court and the Supreme Court of India directed that they be used as evidence at the appropriate time. The detailed and extremely courageous exposure by Tehelka and its then correspondent Ashish Khetan also point to the involvement of several persons in the conspiracy to commit mass murder and economic destruction,” Setalvad said.
Highlights of Tehelka’s Operation Kalank
Modi’s Role
I. Babu Bajrangi (Patel)
Modi’s role in helping Bajrangi abscond. Bajrangi also speaks of how Police machinery was made ineffective on Modi’s instructions. Manipulation of the Judiciary
2. Arvind Pandya, state government lawyer
“Modi Nahi Hota To Kuch Nahi Hota”
Modi’s Role in Subverting Entire Criminal Justice System
3.Dhimant Bhat, accountant MS University
Speaks of Modi’s Direct Role & VHP Meteting on Night of February 27, 2002 planning the post Godhra Conspiracy
4. Haresh Bhatt, former MLA Godhra
Speaks of Three Days given by Modi to do as they will
5. Rajendra Vyas, VHP Ahmedabad City President
In charge of Train (Sabramati Express) speaks of the behaviour on board the train
6. Suresh Richard Chara from Naroda Patia (An Accused)
Modi’s Visit to Patia on evening of Fenruary 28 2002 to garland murderers and rapists saying they have accomplished a wonderful job
8. Dhawal Patel, VHP Zilla Sanjoyak Sabarkantha
Speaks of arms distribution prior to the Godhra train burning pointing to a conspiracy
9. Anil Patel, Gujarat VHP Vibhag Pramukh
Arms distribution prior to the Godhra train burning pointing to a conspiracy