Social activists demand CBI probe into expose

Ahmedabad, Oct 30 (UNI) Leading social activists have demanded a CBI probe into the Tehelka-Aaj Tak expose pertaining to the alleged role of state Chief Minister Narendra Modi, police and the administration in the post-Godhra violence of 2002.

''We, concerned citizens of Gujarat, register strong moral outrage at the shocking disclosures made in the Tehelka-Aaj Tak expose on the post-Godhra violence,'' Jesuit priest and human rights organisation ''Prashant'' director Father Cedric Prakash said while speaking to UNI.

He also condemned the decision of the Ahmedabad district collector to force six news channels off the air. This is a serious and direct infringement on the freedom of the Press and the freedom of expression in Gujarat, Fr Prakash said.

Fr Prakash, along with human rights activists Hiren Gandhi, Ghanshyam Shah, Persis Ginwalla, Mukul Sinha, Saroop Dhruv, Samir Khan, Jayesh Patel, Waqar Qazi and Jayesh Solanki, have issued a press statement demanding that the Central Government issue an ordinance suitably amending the provisions of the Delhi Police Establishment Act which requires the consent of the state government for investigating any matter by the CBI, and immediately order a CBI probe into the Tehelka-Aaj Tak expose.

The BJP, as the principal party in power at the Centre then, and in the State as well, should take moral responsibility for the crimes committed in 2002, and issue a strong condemnation of those involved in the crime, the statement said.

The State administration should take immediate steps to cancel the bail of all those named in the tapes, the statement added.

UNI