Nanavati panel decides against quizzing 3 ex-bureaucrats

The Nanavati Commission today changed its decision to question three former bureaucrats in connection with the deposition of suspended IPS officer Sanjeev Bhatt before the panel, following objection by an NGO.

The Nanavati Commission on Thursday changed its decision to question three former bureaucrats in connection with the deposition of suspended IPS officer Sanjeev Bhatt before the panel, following objection by an NGO.

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Last week, the Commission had summoned five bureaucrats as witnesses, who according to Bhatt were present during the meeting called by Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on the evening of February 27, 2002.

Jan Sangarsh Manch, representing some riot victims, had objected on the grounds that retired IAS officer Ashok Narayanan, who was additional chief secretary in 2002, then DGP K Chakravarthy (now retired) and retired IPS officer PC Pande who was then Police commissioner of Ahmedabad, have already been examined by the Commission.

It contended that Chakravathy, Narayanan and Pande, have already recorded their statements with regard to the February 27, 2002 meeting and have also filed their respective affidavits before the panel six years ago.

So, if the issue has been dealt with, there cannot be re-examination of the witness on the same issue, it had added.

However, the other two - IPS officer K Nityanandam, who was secretary home in 2002, and IAS officer Anil Mukim, who
was then principal secretary to Modi -- would be questioned as scheduled on August 18 and August 29 respectively.

Nityanandam is currently MD of Gujarat Police Housing Corporation, while Mukim is on Central deputation.