SC adjourns hearing of PILs in Gujarat riots cases till March

New Delhi, Feb 19 (UNI) The Supreme Court today adjourned till March the hearing of PILs filed by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and others, seeking the transfer of major Gujarat communal riots related cases outside the state.

A bench comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat, P Sadhasivam and Aftab Alam adjourned the hearing after being told that senior counsel for Gujarat Mukul Rohatagi has been injured.

The NHRC is seeking re-investigation of major riot cases, along with the Godhra train burning incident, on the grounds that Gujarat police, under the influence of state BJP government, has not conducted free and fair investigation in the cases and has been trying its level best to shield the culprits, most of whom belong to the Sangh Parivar.

The apex court has stayed trial proceedings in major riot cases.

According to the petitioners, free and fair trial was not possible in Gujarat under the Narendra Modi Government.

The Centre has already expressed desire to get the cases investigated by the CBI to ensure free and fair investigation and has been in favour of transferring them outside the state.

UNI AKS/SC GL RP AS1629