Modi did not take action despite information: Gujarat cop
May 16th, 2011 - 10:12 pm ICT by IANS
Ahmedabad, May 16 (IANS) Senior Gujarat police officer Sanjeev Bhatt Monday told the Nanavati-Mehta commission that he had informed Chief Minister Narendra Modi in advance about the attack on the Gulberg Society Feb 28, 2002 but, despite specific intelligence inputs, no orders were issued.
The Indian Police Service officer, who was summoned by the commission probing the 2002 riots, claimed that he was not only present at the emergency meeting held on the evening of Feb 27, 2002, after 59 people were burnt alive by a mob in the Sabarmati Express at Godhra, but was also present at meetings held the next day.
Bhatt said that as the then intelligence officer, he had informed the chief minister about the attack and the threat to the lives of the people living in Gulberg Society, and requested for police protection there.
He claimed that despite having the input, the chief minister did not issue any order to that effect.
Former Congress MP Ehsan Jaffri was among those killed by the mob that attacked Gulberg Society Feb 28, 2002.
His wife Zakia Jaffery had told a special court trying the Gulberg Society massacre case that her husband was dragged by a mob, which stripped him and chopped off his limbs before burning him.
Bhatt said in his deposition that senior police officers did not favour bringing the bodies of the Godhra train carnage victims to Ahmedabad following a decision to support the bandh call on Feb 28. They feared that the situation could get out of control because of the lack of an adequate police force.
The probe panel had allowed an NGO, Jan Sangharsh Manch, which is representing some of the 2002 riot victims, to cross examine Bhatt despite opposition by the government counsel.
JSM’s counsel Mukul Sinha took the line that the government should support cross examination rather than registering protests.
Bhatt, in an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, has alleged that the chief minister had instructed top state officials to allow the masses “to vent their anger” during the communal clashes and wanted “Muslims to be taught a lesson”.
JSM claimed that the deposition by Bhatt would be very important and material evidence on deciding the role and conduct of Modi and others.
Further hearing of the matter is slated for May 23 when the government counsel will question Bhatt.
- Nanavati-Mehta panel allows cross-examination of Sanjiv Bhatt - May 09, 2011
- Modi tried to undermine court proceeding, top cop tells panel - May 23, 2011
- Godhra probe panel summons Sanjiv Bhatt - Apr 27, 2011
- Bhatt has security, only excess guards withdrawn: Gujarat Police - Apr 29, 2011
- Ready to name more witnesses, Gujarat cop tells probe panel (Lead) - May 16, 2011
- Gujarat riots: Panel's refusal to quiz ex-minister to be challenged - Oct 04, 2010
- Modi gets clean chit in Gulberg massacre (Roundup) - Apr 10, 2012
- Gulberg Society case: Apex court verdict Monday - Sep 11, 2011
- Top cop implicates Narendra Modi in Gujarat riots (Second Lead) - Apr 22, 2011
- Amicus curiae report on Gulberg points at Modi, Congress attacks BJP (Lead) - May 07, 2012
- Gujarat Congress wants key documents on 2002 riots - Jun 14, 2011
- Gujarat riot victims may file plea to make cop a witness - Jun 21, 2011
- Questioning of ex-officials on Gujarat riots put off - Aug 10, 2011
- It's official: Modi gets clean chit in Gulberg massacre - Apr 10, 2012
- Gujarat riots: Top cop questioned - Mar 22, 2011
Tags: affidavit, carnage, chief minister, cross examination, deposition, ehsan, godhra train, government counsel, gujarat police, gulberg, indian police service, intelligence officer, mehta, mukul, nanavati, police force, police protection, sabarmati express, sangharsh, sinha