Another top cop falls foul of Modi govt

The Gujarat govt decides to corner another IPS officer Rahul Sharma, issuing a chargesheet against him for allegedly providing sensitive information to the Nanavati Commission and the Supreme Court-appointed special investigation team (SIT) without its consent. Mahesh Langa reports.

Having suspended whistle blower IPS Sanjiv Bhatt on August 8, the Narendra Modi government in Gujarat has now issued a charge sheet to another senior IPS officer Rahul Sharma under Official Secrets Act for providing information related to the 2002 riots to the state appointed Nanavati commission and the Apex Court appointed SIT.

The state government has maintained that Sharma provided details and information without seeking permission of the state authorities concerned.

"Charge sheet has been issued to him for violations of Official Secrets Act and service rules. He is bound to seek permission of the state government before parting with information and details to any agency," a home department official said.

The Modi government's move indicates that the state will not tolerate officials who don't toe the government line.

Known for his impeccable integrity and fearless approach, Sharma is DIG (armed units) in Rajkot. During his stint as DCP, police control room, in 2002, he had prepared two CDs containing details of mobile phone records of all the government officials, politicians and ministers, that established the location and movements of the ministers and politicians during the riots.

Those call details form the crucial piece of evidence to prove involvement of several politicians in the riots and also inaction by the police during the worst communal carnage that had claimed 1200 innocent lives in the state.

It was based on those call records, former minister of state Dr Mayaben Kodanani and VHP leader Dr Jaidip Patel were arrested by the SIT in connection with Naroda Patia massacre in which 95 people were burnt to death.

Sources close to Sharma said after receiving the charge sheet, the IPS officer would challenge in the high court.