New Delhi: VHP leader Atul Vaid and former BJP Counselor Naik Singh Chaudhry - both accused in 2002 Gujarat riots Naroda Patia case - have surrendered before the Special Investigation Team (SIT).
The SIT was constituted by the Supreme Court to re-investigate some of the 2002 riot cases.
The most horrifying massacre of the Gujarat riots was the one at Naroda Gaon and Naroda Patiya localities in Ahmedabad. Atul Vaid and Naik Singh have been named as conspirators.
Over 95 persons of the minority community were killed and their properties destroyed in Naroda Patia and Naroda Gam by a mob on February 28, 2002 following the Godhra train burning incident.
On Thursday, the judge hearing Gujarat Women and Child Development Minister Maya Kodnani's bail application withdrew from the case.
Kodnani is accused of instigating a mob at Naroda Patiya and Naroda village in Ahmedabad city during the 2002 Gujarat riots.
Justice Anant Dave withdrew from the hearing of cancellation of bail application saying he did not want to hear the case any longer. Though Justice Dave gave no reason to withdraw himself from hearing the case, in the past when he has given bail to accused in various riot cases, there have been allegations of the judge having BJP leanings.
She had been declared an absconder when the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Gujarat riots case for not responding to a summons to depose in the Naroda Patia massacre case.
The SIT has evidence from Kodnani's mobile phone records that she was in touch with VHP and Bajrang leaders during the 2002 riots.
Meanwhile, social activist Teesta Setalvad, said, "The rigour of the Gujarat genocide, particularly in Gulbarg and Naroda Patia have shown that courage holds out and only the Supreme Court is capable of justice. That's why we were demanding for a Supreme Court verdict. The Supreme Court formed a committee with two independent officers fronm outside the state. Justice could not have been got under the present DGP who himself is a co-accused in the case. The political class also cannot be relied upon in the state."
Comments
0 comment