Godhra carnage investigator to hang his boots next month

Vadodara, Feb 22 (UNI) Noel Parmar, investigating officer (IO) in the Sabarmati train carnage case at Godhra in which 59 Kar sevaks were killed, might not opt to continue in the same capacity after being given three extensions till March 31.

Because of his long association with the investigation of the Godhra train massacre of February 27, 2002, Parmar has been given three extensions since August, 2004.

But the Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Vadodara division of the Gujarat Railway Police (GRP), who has successfuly completed the investigation into the Godhra carnage as its investigating officer, seemed to be not interested to go for yet another extension in his service after March 31, 2007, official sources hinted here today.

When contacted, Parmar neither confirmed nor denied the news, saying, ''It is nearly five years since I took charge as IO in the case following retirement of the then SDPO K C Bava barely three months after the Godhra incident.'' Claiming it to be one of the best investigated cases in the crime history of the country, Parmar said none of the accused arrested under POTA, had been able to obtain bail either from the Gujarat High Court or the apex court.

''It was a big challenge for me to conduct the probe in a most hostile atmosphere. Moreover, I had never seen Godhra before,'' the sexagenarian police officer said.

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