Gujarat HC judge declines to hear case against Modi

Ahmedabad, July 7 (ANI): A Gujarat High Court judge has declined to hear a case challenging a probe by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) against state Chief Minister Narendra Modi and 62 others in the 2002 post-Godhra riots.

Citing personal reasons, Justice H N Devani in the High Court said: "Not before me".

The court was scheduled to hear the case as SIT officials, complainant Zakia Jafri and social activist Teesta Setalvad have already filed their replies.

The writ petition was filed on June 5 by former BJP MLA from Lunavada, Kalu Maliwad against the probe being conducted by SIT with regard to a complaint made by widow of ex-MP from Congress Ahsan Jafri.

In her complaint Jafri 's wife alleged that Modi, his cabinet colleagues, police officials and senior bureaucrats aided and abetted post-Godhra riots.

Jafri was killed with 38 persons in Gulberg society in 2002.

The Supreme Court had ordered the SIT to probe the complaint within three months and submit its report. Maliwad, who was acquitted, has said that the Supreme Court directed the SIT to look into Jafri's complaint. (ANI)