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SC Refuses to Share Copy of Amicus Curiae Report with Gujarat Govt

BeyondHeadlines Staff Reporter

New Delhi: The Supreme Court yesterday dismissed Gujarat government’s plea to give it a copy of the report on the alleged role of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the killing of Congress MP Ehsan Jaffri, during the post Godhra-riots, in Ahmedabad, in 2002.

The report has been prepared by a senior advocate, who examined Modi and others alleged involvement in Jaffri’s killing.

Senior advocate Raju Ramachandran submitted a report before a three-judge special bench after taking an “objective” view of the evidence adduced by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by former CBI director R K Raghvan in the riots cases.

Senior advocate Ranjit Kumar, representing Gujarat government, sought a copy of the report saying that the state government needed to know the contents as allegations were made against certain persons for failing to fulfill their duty.

The bench, comprising Justices D K Jain, P Sathasivam and Aftab Alam, however, did not allow the plea of the state government, saying that they wanted to keep it confidential and would pass appropriate directions based on the findings of the report.

“It is an elaborate report. The amicus curiae have tried to cover all aspects. We have read it. We will pass certain directions. We are keeping it confidential.

We will pass order and indicate future course of action,” the bench said. The apex court also declined a similar plea of Raghvan to get the copy of the said report. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court took on record two reports of April 24 and May 20 filed by the SIT on the progress of the nine cases.

Harish Salve, appearing also as amicus curiae, said trial in all the cases was proceeding satisfactorily and was nearing completion except the one relating to Naroda Patiya.

The SIT had placed its report in a sealed cover before the Court on April 25. The Court had on March 15 asked the SIT to probe the complaint filed by Ehsan Jafri’s wife Jakia Ahsan alleging that Modi, top politicians, bureaucrats and police officers had played a key role in the post-Godhra riots, in which her husband was also burnt alive by rampaging mobs in Gulbarg Society.

It had earlier on May 5 declined to take on record an affidavit filed by controversial IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, alleging that Modi had instructed officers during a meeting on February 27, 2002, to allow Hindus “to vent their anger” during the riots and he wanted Muslims to be “taught a lesson”.

 

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