JSM urges fresh investigation into Naroda-Patiya case

Ahmedabad, Sep 10 (UNI) Jan Sangharsh Manch (JSM), an NGO, today requested the Nanavati-Shah Commission, which is probing post-Godhra riots in Gujarat in year-2002, to recommend a reinvestigation into the Naroda-Patiya and Naroda Gam massacre in March-2002 because of ''some serious lapses in FIRs filed by investigating agency''.

Advocate S H Iyer, who appeared for JSM, in his application urged the Nanavati-Shah panel that it should recommend fresh investigations into these two cases by a neutral investigating agency of the Central Government as the JSM has found that the local Crime Branch FIRs in these two cases ''were absolutely untrustworthy and does not inspire any confidence''.

The FIRs No 100 of Naroda-Patiya and No 98 of Naroda-Gam have some features which indicate that the investigations done in these cases by Crime Branch have certain serious lapses. Nearly ten accused have been shown present at two different far-off places at the same time, the JSM has said.

Besides, there has been delay in filing of charesheets beyond stipulated period of 90 days, thereby enabling most of the accused to secure bails. Moreover, several FIRs have been merged into two main FIRs without proper explanations.

Advocate Iyer said in the application that the investigating agency had made ''Panchnaama'' of 97 bodies while post mortems were conducted only on 59.

He also argued that VHP leader Jaydeep Patel and BJP local MLA Dr Mayaben Kodnani were not arrested despite their names being mentioned by some of the victims in their complaints. One Bhavesh Chhara's name was dropped at a later stage from the FIRs without mentioning any proper reason, he said.

UNI