Zakia’s charges against babus baseless: SIT

Some 13 IAS officers were exonerated by the Supreme Court appointed special investigation team (SIT) of various allegation and charges levied by applicant Zakia Jaffri in affidavit filed by RB Sreekumar in connection with 2002 communal riots in Gujarat.

Most of the IAS officers have not been implicated as allegations leveled against them were not established during the SIT probe.

DNA takes a look at the list of IAS officers whose names figure in Jafri’s affidavit.

Name: G Subba Rao, former Chief Secretary
Allegations: Tried to tutor RB Sreekumar, promote chief minister Narendra Modi’s illegal policies
SIT findings: In his statement to the SIT, Rao said that he had issued no such instructions to Sreekumar and records in a diary maintained by Sreekumar is not according to rules, making it unnatural and suspicious. As he (Rao) was abroad and returned only March 1, 2002 he did not participate in the presumed meeting held at the CM’s residence. He also denied all charges of putting pressure on other officials to implement CM’s policies.

Name: Ashok Narayan, then ACS (Home)
Allegations: Promoting policies of Narendra Modi, undue favour (as he was promoted as State Vigilance Commissioner) and participating in the meeting held at CM’s residence on the night of Godhra carnage
SIT findings: Narayan countered the allegations leveled against him by stating that Sreekumar maintained register in his personal capacity and not according to the rules and procedures. He said that it therefore cannot be considered as documentary evidence. He accepted his presence in the meeting at CM’s residence but denied any illegal instructions issued by Narendra Modi. Stating about his promotion, Narayan said that at the time of becoming State Vigilance Commissioner he was eligible to be promoted as Chief Secretary as per rules but he personally wanted to work outside the state government.

Name: K Srinivas, former Collector, Ahmedabad
Allegations: Did not perform his duties
SIT findings: Srinivas countyered the allegations saying that right from receiving of information about Godhra carnage over phone till the time of relief operations after the communal violence, he discharged his duties according to law and rules and instructions by the state government.

Name: N Nityanandam, former Secretary (Home)
Allegations: Attending the review meeting at CM’s residence on February 28
SIT findings: Nityanandam admitted to having attended the law and order review meeting at the CM’s residence on February 28, 2002 at the instance of Ashok Narayan, then ACS (Home). He also admitted that besides him Swarna Kanta Verma, Ashok Narayan, K Chakravarthi, PC Pande had also attended the meeting that reviewed law and order situation across the state. He further said that meet reviewed the situation arising on account of a bandh call and discussed strategies to tackle the same. SIT found no evidence against N Nityanandam.

Name: Jayanti Ravi, Collector, Panchmahals
Allegations: Handing over bodies of Godhra carnage victims to Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders which were then paraded in Ahmedabad. The allegation came to light after the Mamlatdar Godhra had filed an affidavit that the bodies were handed over to Jaydeep Patel and Hasmukh Patel, leaders of the VHP on instructions of the district collector.
SIT findings: In her statement Jayanti Ravi denied allegations and stated that Jaydeep Patel and Hasmukh Patel were accompanying the bodies and the bodies were not handed over to them. The SIT has observed that the bodies were escorted by the police from Godhra to Ahmedabad and that the custody of the bodies remained with the police escort and thereafter hospital administration, administrative and police authorities. SIT notes that allegations against Ravi were found to be incorrect and recommended strong departmental action against then ML Nalavya, mamlatdar, Godhra as he acted in an irresponsible manner.