CNN-IBN TV report on SC order to probe Modi's and other officials role & Gujarat Pogrom 2002

SC orders probe into Modi's role in Guj riots

CNN-IBN
Apr 27, 2009 at 15:25, Updated on Mon, Apr 27, 2009

SEE THE VIDEO: SC has asked the Raghavan Committee to look into Modi's role in the riots.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has ordered a probe into the alleged role of Gujarat Chief minister Narendra Modi in the 2002 Gujarat riots.

The apex court has asked the Raghavan Committee to probe Modi's role and submit its report in the next three months time.

SC has also asked the committee to probe the roles of a cabinet minister in the Modi government, three MLAs, three VHP activists and several IAS and IPS officers as well.

The decision came on a plea filed by the wife of slain ex-MP, Ehsan Jaffri and social activist Teesta Setalvad.

"It's a huge victory because this is an indication of what we have been saying for almost six years now. We have been asking for an investigation and not presuming people are guilty like the opposite side does. The police had used Modi's political clout to delay the probe, now the Supreme Court has renewed faith in the justice system by saying at least investigate it," Teesta Setalvad told CNN-IBN.

"Ten days ago, the Gujarat government was all gung ho when they were trying to malign me and my organisation. People who fight for Human Rights don't look at the elections in that sense that is for the political parties and their opponents to do. We have been struggling non stop since 2002 to get justice and we haven't stopped. In fact neither of the secular parties have supported us either, so we are not there for the politics of it, we are there for Human Rights and justice," she added.

However, BJP leader Arun Jaitley said, "It seems to have become a convention to raise both in and out of courts, issues related to Gujarat prior to any elections. It's just another investigation and previous ones too had not found anything against Narendra Modi. It's still in court. We don't want to comment."

Meanwhile, Congress Spokesperson Veerappa Moily said, "Narendra Modi must step down as Gujarat's Chief Minister for a fair trial."

"The question arises has Advani already been shown the door by his party? Hasn't he just become a mask for Modi? That mask is obviously needed because within the NDA, Modi does not have acceptability. Within the country Modi does not have that much acceptability as much as Advani. Modi, the other PM-in-waiting will turn a blind eye and say 'why should I apologise for Godhra'," added Congress Spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

Attacking the BJP over the 2002 post-Godhra communal riots, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said on Sunday that the carnage was against the historic tradition of Gujarat.

"Only NDA can give you politics of division. Gujarat is the state of Mahatma Gandhi, who worked for communal harmony throughout his life," the Prime Minister said, addressing his first election rally in the state, that goes to polls on April 30.

"Those parties who fan communalism are insulting Mahatma Gandhi and Gujarat. During the NDA regime, due to few people, whatever happened in 2002 was against the historic tradition of your state," Singh said.

"Politics of hate and division cannot take us forward. There is no other way than secularism for this country," he said.