Need formal directions to file affidavit on Modi's role: Bhatt

Ahmedabad, Dec 7: Suspended IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt on Wednesday appealed to the Nanavati Commission to either formally summon him or direct him to file a detailed affidavit regarding the alleged role of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in undermining a petition filed by the social activist Mallika Sarabhai after 2002 riots.

Bhatt had last month made a similar request to the panel, probing the communal riots, when he was called during a hearing on an application moved by the danseuse. Sarabhai had sought Bhatt's cross examination with regard to alleged role of Modi in sabotaging the court proceedings in Sarabhai's petition by allegedly bribing her lawyer.

"It has been time and again reiterated before the Honourable Commission that I am privy to these details as an Intelligence Officer and would therefore be able to disclose those details only when I am officially directed to appear and depose before the Honourable Commission and not otherwise," Bhatt said in his written request underlining his willingness to depose before the Nanavati Commission.

He requested the probe panel to summon and examine him regarding his allegation of the gross misuse of Secret Service Funds (SSF) of the state government by Modi for undermining the proceedings of Sarabhai's petition in 2002, or may direct him to file a detailed affidavit bringing out the relevant and germane facts within his knowledge. Bhatt wrote to the Commission in reply to its letter of December 1, informing him that he was free to file a detailed affidavit with regard to Sarabhai's application.

Bhatt has further stated in the letter that despite him being posted as Deputy Commissioner (Intelligence) in-charge of Internal Security with the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) during 2002 riots, the Gujarat government has, till date, not instructed him to file any affidavit before the Nanavati Commission.

He said in the letter that an amount of Rs 10 lakh from SSF was delivered to Modi as instructed in 2002, and was handed over to former minister Amit Shah in his presence, for further disbursal and execution of plans as per Modi's instructions. During his questioning by the Central Relief Committee advocate B M Mangukia on May 23 before the commission, Bhatt had alleged that Modi had tried to undermine the proceedings in the petition filed by Sarabhai in the Supreme Court with regard to 2002 riots.

The Commission has reserved its order on Sarabhai's application seeking cross examination of Bhatt with regard to this matter. Sarabhai had contended in her plea that since Bhatt was no longer constrained by the Zakia Jaffery's petition in the apex court, as it has been disposed of, the panel should summon Bhatt for giving details of the role of Modi and others with regard to her 2002 petition.

She had further said that what Bhatt had stated in May has been supported by the affidavit filed by former DGP and Bhatt's superior during 2002 riots, R B Sreekumar, before the commission.

PTI