My stand against Modi vindicated, says Bhatt

Suspended Indian Police Services officer Sanjiv Bhatt on Monday said his stand on the credibility of probe done by the special investigation team into the role of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in 2002 riots has been vindicated by the reported findings of amicus curiae Raju Ramchandran.

Bhatt had filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court in April this year raising serious apprehensions about the probe being carried out by SIT with regard to the 2002 riots.

He had said there were inadequacies in the manner and approach of the SIT which he had personally experienced during the interaction with the agency.

Bhatt has accused the SIT of hostility and coercing of witnesses while probing the Gulburg Society case of 2002 riots.

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Commenting on news reports published on Monday about the suggestions reportedly made by Ramchandran in his report to the apex court with regard to role of Modi in post-Godhra riots, Bhatt said, "This is what I have been saying all along."

"Raju's report in SC raises serious questions about the credibility of the SIT probe with regard to the Zakia Jaffery (wife of former Congress MP Ehsan Jaffery killed in Gulberg Society riots) complaint," Bhatt told PTI.

"This is reflected in the SIT's reluctance to submit all the documents regarding Zakia's case in the appropriate court as directed by the apex court," he said.

Bhatt had filed an affidavit with regard to the case of Zakia Jaffery seeking further probe against Modi and 62 others and consider the post-Godhra riot as part of a larger conspiracy where the state machinery was allegedly complicit with rioters.

Ramchandran's report is reported to have suggested that Modi can be prosecuted for allegedly promoting enmity between communities, imputations and assertions prejudicial to national interests.

According to the news reports also said Ramchandran's report said Bhatt's claim that he was present in the meeting called by Modi on February 27, 2002, needs to be further examined.

Bhatt said the SIT should stop all investigation and submit all documents and let the trial court decide on the evidence before it about Modi.

The IPS officer, suspended for alleged misconduct, was arrested in a case of "fabricating" evidence filed by one his subordinate constables but is now out on bail.