No stay on Nanavati Commission report: SC

New Delhi, Sep 26: On Friday, Sep 26 the Supreme Court of India declined to stay proposed action on Nanavati Commission Report which was placed in Gujarat Assembly on Thursday, Sep 25 giving clean chit to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, his Cabinet colleagues and Gujarat Police officials for their alleged involvement in 2002 Gujarat Communal riots.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, and Justice Sathasivam, however, issued notices to Gujarat government on the petition filed by People's Union For Civil Liberties (PUCL). The apex court also fixed October 13 for hearing of the petition seeking stay against publication and circulation of the preliminary report submitted by two-Judges Commitee headed by Justice Nanavati, a retired judge of Supreme Court. Counsel for PUCL also pleaded for stay of any action against those named as conspirators and accused in the report as they may be harassed and tortured by the state government.

The apex court, however, wanted to know from the petitioner whether they have seen the report. The petitioner could not give satisfactory. Therefore, the court told the petitoner that stay could not be granted without knowing the contents of the report.

According to the report, 140 litre of kerosene oil was used to set afire bogie no. S-6 of Sabarmati Express at Godhra Railway Station on February 27, 2002 and the incident sparked of communal riots in the state.

According to the report, Godhra incident was pre-planned which resulted in the death of 59 Kar Sevaks. Over 2000 members of minority community were killed in the communal riots and the dead included a former Congress MP from Gujarat and his family members.

UNI