The role of the powerful politicians in the 2002 communal riots of Gujarat may never be established now. All the crucial documents related to the riots, including log-books of the cops, vehicle log-books and control room phone records which have the minutes of the meetings, have been destroyed by the state government in 2007.
This admission came from none other than the state government special counsel appearing before the Nanavati Commission probing Godhra riots. Senior advocate Sharad Vakil told this to the media outside the Commission’s office on Wednesday.
Vakil claimed that IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt had filed the affidavit before the Supreme Court alleging chief minister Narendra Modi’s role in riots, after he came to know that vital records of the state CID (intelligence) were destroyed in 2007. The lawyer claimed that the government was not bound to maintain documents after five years.
To a query raised by a mediaperson, he said: “Senior IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt filed the affidavit after coming to know that the records have been destroyed.”
Vakil also grilled Bhatt by asking him why he had not filed any affidavit before the Commission over the act of the chief minister when it had issued a notification inviting people to come forward with details regarding the riots.
In a day-long hearing on Wednesday, the state government cornered Bhatt regarding the possession of the vital documents of the state intelligence related to 2002 communal riots.
Bhatt was asked to explain as to how he procured the vital telephone call records and other documents of the state intelligence which he had submitted before the SC-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT). However, Bhatt did not provide answers as the investigation of the case is under scrutiny of the apex court.
Earlier, in the beginning of the hearing, Bhatt objected to his questioning by the state government as he is not a witness as per the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952. Bhatt requested the Commission that he should not be questioned directly by either party.
Commission chairman justice Nanavati said Bhatt should answer the questions as he had earlier told the Commission that he was ready to tell all the truth. Justice Nanavati observed that he fielded all the questions raised earlier by advocate Mukul Sinha and Congress lawyer BM Mangukia, but was now objecting to similar questions. In the affidavit before the Supreme Court, Bhatt alleged that he was present in the meeting of senior cops held at chief minister's bungalow on February 27, 2002. During the meeting, Modi reportedly asked the cops that Hindus should be allowed to vent their anger. The government, however, has been trying to establish that Bhatt is not a credible witness as he is facing multiple criminal cases.
