« Back to article

Print this article

Modi's role in Gujarat riots: SC verdict on Monday

The much awaited verdict on Chief Minister Narendra Modi's alleged involvement in the 2002 Gujarat riots will be delivered by the Supreme Court on Monday.

Acting on the plea of petitioner Zakia Jafri, whose husband and former member of Parliament Ehsan Jafri was brutally killed during the riots in Gulburg society, Ahmedabad, the court had appointed a Special Investigation Team to probe Modi's role in the riots.

The SC is expected to decide on Monday if any further probe against Modi is required.

Reportage: A correspondent in Delhi

Modi's role in Gujarat riots: SC verdict on Monday

In her petition, Zakia had named Modi and 62 others. She had alleged that Modi and his associates orchestrated the communal riots in 2002, which erupted after the Godhra train carnage, in connivance with police officials and senior bureaucrats.

The SIT, headed by R K Raghavan, conducted a probe and submitted its report to the Supreme Court in May, 2010. But the SC felt that the inference of Raghavan didn't match the SIT's findings.

Modi's role in Gujarat riots: SC verdict on Monday

The SC then sought the comments of amicus curiae Raju Ramachandran to suggest the future course of action and the senior counsel had subsequently submitted his comments to the apex court.

The SC, which has before it the inferences of both Raghavan and Ramachandran, will decide whose opinion is correct.

After perusing both the reports, the SC had reserved its order on July 28.