Nanavati-Shah Commission adjourns summoning of Modi to Jan 10

Ahmedabad, Dec 26 (UNI) The Nanavati-Shah Commission today adjourned further hearing on the issue of summoning seven persons, including Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, before the Commission for cross examination till January 10.

The Commission, probing the Godhra train carnage and its aftermath, had on the last sitting on November 30 directed the Government Counsel T S Nanavati to submit his reply by December 26 as the Government Counsel had then sought a month's time to submit his reply. However, the Government Counsel today again sought two week's time, which was opposed by Advocate Mukul Sinha.

Since Commission Chairman G T Nanavati was on leave, the other member, Justice (Retd) K G Shah passed the adjournment order on the condition that ''there will be no further adjournments''.

Adv Sinha, representing the Jansangharsh Manch-an NGO, in his submission to the Commission, on November 30, had said that it is fit to summon all the seven persons before the Commission in view of the evidence regarding the conduct of the Chief Minister, his ministers and officials and their collusion with the rioters.

In his submission, Adv Sinha told the Commission that the mobile phone call data submitted by IPS officer Rahul Sharma before the Commission is of great importance as corroborative evidence.

He said we analysed this data for 43 persons including the seven persons, whose names have already been submitted to the Commission.

He told the Commission that the mobile phone calls between Jaideep Patel, VHP Secretary, DCP Sawani and VHP Office at Ahmedabad told the story of conspiracy being hatched at Godhra.

On the basis of the analysis report, Advocates representing Jansangharsh Manch and the Congress moved an application before the Commission on August 31, last to summon Mr Modi, the then Home Minister Gordhan Zadaphia and the then Health Minister Ashok Bhatt along with the then PA to Chief Minister Omprakash, PA to Chief Minister Tanmay Mehta, OSD to Chief Minister Sanjay Bhavsar and DCP Zone V of Ahmedabad R J Sawani before the Commission for cross examination for their alleged role in the 2002 post-Godhra riots in the state.

UNI