The Special Investigation Team (STI) investigating the Gujarat communal riots in 2002 today submitted its report to Supreme Court. It was instituted by the apex court to investigate the role of chief minister Narendra Modi and the inaction of state machinery in preventing widespread killing in 2002 riots in Gujarat. The riots were worse of its kind in brutality claiming 1200 lives in the state. The Report is submitted before time after several allegations have been leveled against it. Ealire reports had exonerated Modi of any involvement and it remains to be seem what this report brings forth.
Sanjiv Bhatt, Gujarat IPS officer doubted its credibility and lacked faith in it’s finding since the team did not go through documents and evidence proving leniency in the role of the state administration. He filed an affidavit in Supreme Court on 14th April to this effect and was willing to even give evidence under Sec 164 of Crpc to the team and ,’time and again, I tried to bring facts to the notice of the SIT but they seem to be disinterested to follow them up in the course of the inquiry.’ This will undermined the judicial proceeding concening the riot that became the shame of India and black bolt in its history .Bhatt claim to be present in a meeting at the residence of the Chief Minister Modi on the night of February 27 in 2002, in which he told officers,’ let Hindus vent out their anger against Muslims so that repeat of Godhara like incident never happens in the state.’
Another suspended IAS officer Pradeep Sharma has also claimed to receive a call from Modi’s office to tell his brother IPS officer Kuleep Sharma, not to take action against rioters.Currently in jail involved in a land scam case, he wrote to the Chairman of the SIT team R. K. Raghava in which he revealed,’ I have received a phone call from the chief minister’s office stating that I should ask my brother K.N.Sharma, then the IGP Ahmedabad range that he should abstain from taking any proactive measures in favour of the minorities’.
Refusing to be drawn in the controversy Dr. R.K Raghava did not comment on the allegations and stated to tell everything to the court only.
The probe was set up following the complaint of Zakia Jaffri the wife of late MP Ehsan Jaffri, who was killed and his house burnt along with his family by mob frenzy. In the Gulberg Society Massacre 69 people were killed and in spite of calls to police and administration for help none came.She alleged Muslims were particularly targeted and see a conspiracy in the role of state administration and chief minister in the riots, following the burning of Godhara Train episode.
