Nanavati panel again asked to summon Modi

The Jan Sangharsh Manch, representing the victims of the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat, has again moved the Nanavati-Mehta judicial inquiry commission for summoning Chief Minister Narendra Modi and others for cross-examination.

The Jan Sangharsh Manch (JSM), representing the victims of the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat, has again moved the Nanavati-Mehta judicial inquiry commission for summoning Chief Minister Narendra Modi and others for cross-examination.

HT Image

The JSM's application came on the advice of the Gujarat High Court, which heard their petition seeking the court's directive to the commission to summon Modi and others.

The JSM had moved the high court after the commission sat over, for three years, on their plea for summoning Modi, the then minister of state for home, Gordhan Jhadaphia, the then health minister Ashok Bhatt (now the speaker of the assembly) and numerous others.

The commission kept the issue in the cold storage stating that it did not find any justification of cross-examining these people "at this stage." The commission, however, had told the high court in April this year that it had not taken any "final decision" on summoning the chief minister.

Following the commission's clarification, the high court suggested the JSM approach the commission afresh. The revised plea is likely to come up before the commission Aug 25.