SC directs Guj govt to hand over Modi's speeches

New Delhi, Jan 20: In the latest update on the post-Godhra riots case, the Supreme Court has directed the Gujarat government on Tuesday, Jan 19, to immediately provide all documents, including chief minister Narendra Modi alleged inflammatory speeches to the Special Investigation Team

The Bench comprising of Justices D K Jain, P Sathasivam and Aftab Alam made the decision following complain against the state government's reluctance to provide the document sought by SIT, stating that it was irrelevant to the investigation.

"According to SIT, the statement made by the Chief Minister has some relevance. What is wrong if you make it available?" the bench said.

SIT headed by former CBI Director R K Raghavan complained in its interim report that despite repeated request, relevant documents connected to the case were not being furnished by the state government.

The document which has been allegedly denied by the state government include copies of Modi's alleged inflammatory speeches made after the Godhra train carnage in Sep 2002.

The Apex Court has denied five months extension sought by the SIT to complete the probe and has directed them to submit its report by April 30.

Solicitor General Gopal Subramaniam has asked the SC to consider the reconstitution of SIT following the apex court recent judgement on the Sohrabuddin fake encounter case in which the CBI was directed to take over the case from the Gujarat police.

The Court had passed adverse remarks against Inspector General of Police Geeta Johri who is part of the SIT team probing the post-Godhra riots case.

Considering the Solicitor General's submission, the Court has adjourned the hearing to Feb 9.

Earlier, rights activist Devendrabhai N Pathak had filed a similar plea for reconstitution of SIT, arguing that the investigation was proceeding in the wrong direction.

The application is still pending in the Court.

Though the Court had expressed satisfaction on the progress on the case in the previous hearing, it has sought the opinions of both Gopal Subramaniam and senior counsel Harish Salve, part of the Bench as an amicus curia in the case.

OneIndia News