Setalvad moves SC for prosecution of Guj rioters

New Delhi, Oct 27 (UNI) Well-known human rights activist Teesta Setalvad today moved the Supreme Court for urgent hearing of the PIL filed by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and others seeking prosecution of the culprits of 2002 Gujarat communal riots, in view of the Tehelka sting operation.

The applicant has sought directions from the court to Tehelka and Aaj Tak TV channels to produce the video tapes of the sting operation for examination.

She has prayed to apex court to order a CBI inquiry into the entire episode as latest exposure shows that top BJP leaders in the state, including Chief Minister Narendra Modi and former State Home Minister Gordhan Zadaphia, were involved in shielding the culprits.

The exposure shows that the killers of riot victims were in constant touch with Mr Gordhan.

Several political parties and social organisations including Left parties and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad have demanded the prosecution of Mr Modi, Mr Gordhan and other politicians, police officers and senior bureaucrats who were supporting the roiters, most of them belonging to the Sangh Parivar and its outfits.

Godhra BJP MLA Haresh Bhatt, Shiv Sena leader Babu Bajrangi as well as the State Advocate General Arvind Pandya have made categorical statements before the camera in the sting operation that the chief minister, home minister and top police officials including current DGP B C Pandey who was the Commissioner of Police Ahmedabad were aware of the people being killed but instructed the state administration not to act against rioters and give them a free hand to kill and loot the people, mostly belonging to the minority community.

The application is likely to be mentioned before the Supreme Court for hearing on October 29.

UNI