HC stays NBW against rights activist,five others in mass graves case

Ahmedabad, Apr 28 (UNI) Gujarat High Court today stayed the execution of non-bailable warrants against six persons, including an activist of the Citizen for Justice and Peace (CJP), who had been charged with tampering evidence by digging up a mass grave of alleged post-Godhra riot victims in Panchmahal district in December last year.

Justice A S Dave has posted the matter for hearing on May 3.

Citing the order, Citizen for Justice and Peace (CJP) counsel Teesta Setalvad said the CJP had sought non-execution of the non-bailable warrants issued against five relatives and CJP activist Rais Khan. It had initially moved the court seeking a CBI investigation into the unearthing of a mass grave in Lunawada in Panchmahals district in December last year and DNA testing of the skeletal remains.

CJP counsel Sohail Tirmizi said the public prosecutor sought time and the Advocate General is likely to appear on the next date.

While the activists had accused the government of ''hiding evidence'' after mass graves were discovered at Lunawada on December 27 last year, the police had filed an FIR naming six people for ''tampering with the evidence''.

UNI MMG ADG RA ND2106