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SIT questions Togadia for role in 2002 Gujarat riots case

May 10, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Gandhinagar, May 10 (ANI): Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Praveen Togadia appeared before a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Monday for questioning in connection with his role in the 2002 Gujarat communal riots.

Togadia was accompanied by several VHP activists, who shouted ”Jai Shree Ram” slogans and sang bhajans outside the SIT office, till his questioning was completed.

Togadia was earlier asked to appear before the SIT on April 29, but failed to do so.

He was summoned by the SIT after it had questioned Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

On April 28, the Supreme Court gave an additional 15 days to the SIT, to conduct an inquiry against Modi and 62 others in connection with post-Godhra riots, and to submit its final report.

The Supreme Court had given the deadline to complete the inquiry into complaint of Zakia Jaffery in which she alleged that Modi, his cabinet colleagues, some police officials and senior bureaucrats aided and abetted the post-Godhra riots of 2002.

Zakia”s husband and ex-MP Ehsan Jaffrey was among the 69 killed during the 2002 riots in the Gulburg Society.

SIT has already recorded statements of a number of persons named in Zakia”s complaint, which include former Minister of State for Home Gordhan Zadafia, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader I K Jadeja, former BJP MLA from Lunawada Kalu Malivad and sitting MLA from Mehsana Anil Patel, former IPS officer R B Sreekumar, social activist Teesta Setalvad, IG Shivanand Jha, some other senior police officers and political leaders. (ANI)

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Option of Modi being summoned remains open, says Nanavati Commission

April 1, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Gandhinagar, Apr 1(ANI): The Nanavati Commission, which is probing the 2002 Godhra incident, on Thursday informed the Gujarat High Court that its decision to not summon Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was not the final decision.

The Commission was today responding to a notice sent by the High Court on March 22, in which it was asked from the Nanavati Commission to clarify whether it would summon Modi by April 1.

The High Court was acting on the petition filed by the Jan Sangharsh Manch (JSM), which had moved an application before the Nanavati Commission in April 2007 demanding that Modi be summoned for questioning.

Talking about today’s proceedings in the court, JSM lawyer Mukul Sinha said: “The proceedings were based on our request for the Chief Minister (Modi) to be summoned before the Nanavati panel.”

“In September 2009, the Nanavati Commission had declined to summon the Chief Minister, but today they have replied to the High Court’s notice saying their decision of not summoning Modi is not final and the option of him being summoned remains open,” Sinha added.

Sinha further informed that the next hearing regarding the issue would be on 17 June.

This would spell more trouble for Modi, who was questioned by the Supreme Court appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) on March 27 for over five hours regarding his role in the 2002 Gujarat communal riots. (ANI)

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Modi’s appearance before SIT shows nobody’s above law, says Moily

March 27, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

New Delhi/ Gandhi Nagar (Gujarat), March 27 (ANI): Union Minister for Law and Justice Veerappa Moily on Saturday said that even if the appearance of Gujarat Chief Minister Narender Modi before the Supreme Court appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) was most unfortunate, it did reflect that all were equal before the law.

“It is most unfortunate that he landed himself into to that kind of situation. It is not desirable. But, unfortunately, it has happened. But that demonstrates the fact that nobody is above law. Rule of law is equal to every one as I have repeated there,” said M Veerappa Moily here.

To a poser on Modi questioning the validity of the SIT summons to him, Moily said that by doing so he was questioning the authority of the country”s apex court.

“No, it is for him to agitate before the court, that means he is questioning the authority of the Supreme Court to appoint an SIT. And SIT is empowered by the Supreme Court decision. That means he is questioning the Supreme Court. He should understand what he is doing,” he added.

In Gandhinagar, earlier in the day, Modi appeared before the before Special Investigation Team (SIT), appointed by the apex court to inquire into the communal riots of 2002 in the state, amid tight security.

Modi”s security and bomb disposal squad arrived before him at the premises from where SIT is functioning at Gandhinagar. The enquiry was on till 3.30 p.m. on Saturday.

Modi, 59, senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is the first-ever Chief Minister of any state to be called for questioning in a criminal complaint of mass murder after he and his administration were accused of aiding and abetting riots in one area of Ahmedabad.

The Supreme Court appointed SIT to inquire into the 2002 Gujarat riots that claimed lives of more than 2,500 lives required Modi to appear before it for questioning on Sunday (March 21). However, Modi did not turn up for the questioning by the SIT members on Sunday.

The summons followed a petition filed by Zakia Jaffrey, widow of Ehsan Jaffrey, a former Congress party legislator, who was allegedly burnt alive during the riots in what has come to be known as the Gulbarg Society massacre on February 28, 2002.

The Hindu-Muslim clashes in the western state of Gujarat killed more than 2,500 people displaced some 200,000 and orphaned about 400 children.

The reprisal attacks by a group of Hindus broke loose after suspected Muslim attackers torched a train carrying Hindu pilgrims on February 27, 2002, killing 59 Kar Sevaks (devotees) in a Gujarat town. (ANI)

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Pravin Togadia not allowed to visit Kandhamal

March 17, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Bhubaneswar, March 16 (IANS) The local administration in Orissa’s Kandhamal district has not allowed the proposed visit of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Pravin Togadia to the area later this week, officials said.

The VHP leader was scheduled to go to visit Kandhamal during his visit to the state on Thursday.

‘We have decided not to allow VHP leader Pravin Togadia to visit the district as the district is fast turning normal after the communal riots in 2008. His visit would not be good at this moment,’ Kandhamal District Collector Krishna Kumar said.

‘We know that every time he comes, he gives provocative speeches. Anticipating trouble, we have not allowed his visit to the district,’ he said.

On the other hand, the VHP leaders have strongly opposed the administration decision, saying that that it is ‘undemocratic’ not to allow Togadia to visit the district.

‘We are yet to get in writing that the district administration has not allowed the visit. We will strongly protest the decision,’ VHP state unit secretary Gouri Prasad Rath said.

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Veraval riots: Nanavati Commission not to issue notice against Modi

September 19, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Ahmedabad, Sep.19 (ANI): In a major reprieve for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the Justice Girish Thakorlal Nanavati Commission on Saturday confirmed that it would not be issuing any notice to him in connection with the communal riots in Veraval.

However, the commission has asked the State Government to give it transcripts of the conversations that took place prior to the riots, during the riots and in its aftermath.

The commission has so far given a clean chit to Modi in the post-Godhra events. The Nanavati Commission said there was no evidence to show there was lapse in Modi’s or his ministers’ role in providing protection, relief and rehabilitation to the victims of communal riots or in the matter of not complying with the recommendations and direction given by the National Human Rights Commission.

Communal attacks on Muslims took place in Gujarat between February and May 2002.

The riots occurred after the burning of the Sabarmati Express. According to official figures tabled in the parliament, more than a thousand people were killed (790 Muslims and 254 Hindus) in the violence after the train incident. More than two hundred and fifty thousand people were displaced (about 200,000 Muslims and 40,000 Hindus).

Organizations such as Human Rights Watch criticized the Indian government for failure to address the resulting humanitarian condition of people, “overwhelming majority of them Muslim,” who fled their homes for relief camps in the aftermath of the events.

Many of the investigations and prosecution of those accused of violence during the riots have been opened for reinvestigation and prosecution. According to an official estimate, 1044 people were killed in the violence, including those killed in the Godhra train fire. Another 223 people were reported missing, 2,548 injured, 919 women widowed and 606 children orphaned. About 100,000 Muslims and 40,000 Hindus were in relief camps. (ANI)

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Chidambaram visits Kandhamal victims in relief camps

June 27, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Phulbani (Orissa), June 26 (ANI): Union Home Minister P.Chidambaram on Friday visited Kandhamal riots victims in the Government run relief camps here.

Chidambaram, who is taking stock of the law and order situation in Orissa, today visited the Government run relief camps in Mandaika, Rahikola, Tinigia and Tikabali in Kandhamal district.

He assured the riot victims that action would be taken against the culprits involved. Chidambaram asked them to think of starting their life afresh.

“I am sorry that certain things happened last year and you have been brought to these camps. But you must go back to your villages. I am here to tell you, don’t fear,” Chidambaram said.

Nearly 1500 people, mostly tribals are living in relief camps set up after a series of communal riots which followed the killing of VHP leader Swami Laxmananda Saraswati in August last year, in Kandhamal district.

Meanwhile, in the wake of increased Maoist activities, the Orissa Government has urged the Centre to deploy paramilitary personnel. The State Government has also asked for helicopters and grants for setting up a anti-Naxal training centre.

During the meeting with the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, state government officials sought seven more battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force, and Indian Police Service (IPS) officers to train men of the state police,

Hours before the Home Minister’s visit to Orissa, Maoists blew up mobile towers and a railway station, and cut off the road leading to Narayanpatna block in the Koraput district on Thursday.

Chidambaram cancelled his visit to the NALCO, bauxite-mining area in the same district citing a “technical” problem. (ANI)

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Hundreds of Muslims to attend Lord Jagannath Yatra in Ahmedabad

June 21, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

Ahmedabad, June 21 (ANI): Hundreds of Muslims will mark their presence on the occasion of scheduled Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra or, chariot procession to be carried out here on Wednesday (June 24) and display a gesture of brotherhood and communal harmony.

These resident Muslims are eager to be present during the 132nd Rathyatra of Lord Jagannath, Subhadra and Balram and get a glimpse of the chariot procession.

On Saturday, a group of Muslims here presented a souvenir of Lord Jagannath’s chariot to the priest of Jagannath temple, ahead of the scheduled Rath Yatra or chariot procession.

“Despite communal riots of 2002, the Muslims of Ahmedabad are eager to participate in the chariot procession. It shows that they are emotionally attached to this procession,” said Badruddin Sheikh, a religious Muslim leader.

The procession is scheduled to take place amidst tight police security in the communal sensitive areas of the city.

“This procession will take place in a peaceful atmosphere. The Muslim community will extend full cooperation to this procession. The Muslim community is also concerned about the law and order situation and the successful conclusion of the celebrations during this festival. That is why we came here to hand over this (memento),” said Mohammad Hussein Sheikh, President, Ahmedabad Muslim Graduate Association.

After worshipping Lord Jagannath, brother Balram and sister Subhadra within the temple, the heavily decorated chariots, resembling temple structures, will be taken throughout the city. By Ami Sharma (ANI)

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Hundreds of Muslims to attend Lord Jagannath Yatra in Ahmedabad

June 21, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

These resident Muslims are eager to be present during the 132nd Rathyatra of Lord Jagannath, Subhadra and Balram and get a glimpse of the chariot procession.

On Saturday, a group of Muslims here presented a souvenir of Lord Jagannath’s chariot to the priest of Jagannath temple, ahead of the scheduled Rath Yatra or chariot procession.

The procession is scheduled to take place amidst tight police security in the communal sensitive areas of the city.

Supreme Court orders retrial of Gujarat riots by fast track courts

May 3, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 1 (ANI): 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 chargesheets against new accused named by the Special Investigating Team (SIT).

On April 27, the apex court asked the SIT to probe the role of 64 people, including that of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the cases.

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

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

The order came over two months after Gujarat High Court Judge A. S. Dave declined to hear a SIT petition that challenged the anticipatory bail granted to State Minister Maya Kodnani and the former VHP leader Jaydeep Patel in connection with the Godhra case.

The SIT had moved the Gujarat High Court and challenged the anticipatory bail granted by a lower court to Kodnani and Patel, in the post-Godhra and Naroda Gram riot cases.

The apex court had constituted a five-member SIT to re-investigate the post-Godhra communal riots.

The SIT is reinvestigating into nine post- Godhra riot cases and was expected to submit its report to the apex court by February 15.

Several prominent leaders like, Maya Kodnani of BJP and Jaydeep Patel of Vishwa Hindu Parishad are at the center of investigation, following many witnesses naming them in their statements in the Naroda Gam riot case.

The SIT had filed a 300-page supplementary chargesheet against 24 people in the Naroda Gam case in which 11 people, belonging to the minority community, were killed by a mob during the riots.

The accused include, Fula Vyas of VHP, local BJP leader Jitendra Patel and ex-BJP municipal councilor Ashok Patel.

The SIT has also filed a second charge sheet in Naroda Patiya case against 15 accused, where over 80 people were killed during the Godhra riots.

The third chargesheet in the Gulburg society case, named some VHP and BJP leaders in the list of absconders among the 14 accused, where 38 people were killed.

The five-member SIT team is headed by R. Raghavan, and includes former Deputy General of Police C.D. Satpathy and three Indian Police officers-Geetha Johri, Shivanand Jha and Ashish Bhatia.

Each chapter in the report is being carefully drafted and separate reports are being prepared for each of the nine cases. (ANI)

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SC to decide on speedy trial of Gujarat riots cases

May 3, 2009 By admin Leave a Comment

New Delhi, May 1 (ANI): The Supreme Court will today decide on how to speed up the trial of 14 Gujarat riot cases.
On April 27, the apex court asked the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the role of 64 people, including that of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the cases.