Advocate files contempt petition against Modi on Godhra remark

New Delhi, May 1 (ANI): An advocate filed a petition before the Supreme Court on Friday seeking contempt proceedings against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks in connection with the probe ordered against him and others for post-Godhra riots.

Prashant Bhushan, who has been assisting the Court as amicus curiae in the matter of Jakia Nasim, wife of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, alleged that Modi had suggested the Supreme Court-ordered probe was a conspiracy of the Congress party.

It may be recalled that Jakia Nasim has accused the Gujarat Government of not entertaining her complaint relating to Jafri, who was killed in the 2002 riots.

An apex court bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan has said that it will hear the contempt petition next week.

Modi said on Tuesday that he is ready to go to jail if his involvement in the 2002 Godhra riots is proved.

"I will abide by the Supreme Court directives and fully cooperate in any probe. I am willing to go to jail if my involvement is proved by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the post-Godhra riots," he said at an election rally in Anand, Gujarat.

"The criminals like Quattrocchi are getting bail, and Indians are being put into jails. I am ready for any challenge and would not kneel down," Modi had said.

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the SIT to probe the role of 64 people, including that of Modi in the post-Godhra riots cases.

The apex court order was passed in response to a petition filed by the wife of the late Congress parliamentarian Ehsaan Jaffery.

The court asked the SIT to submit the report within three months.

The Supreme Court on Friday ordered a retrial of the Gujarat riots cases by fast track courts.

The apex court also directed that the trial would not be shifted out of Gujarat.

Besides, it also ordered he filing of additional charge sheets against new accused named by the Special Investigating Team (SIT). (ANI)