IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt’s “lack of faith” in the Supreme Court-appointed special investigation team (SIT) probing the 2002 riots is because the SIT “did not examine” documents he gave on the state machinery’s alleged complicity in the matter.
“In my affidavit, I have stated I have provided the SIT information and documents including original floppy discs containing the cell phone/cell site records (who called whom) of entire Godhra town for February 26-27, 2002,” Bhatt told Hindustan Times, adding the documents and evidence remained unexamined since November 2009.
“I have also provided the original printouts of very important call records of certain high-ranking functionaries of the state,” he said, stressing an examination of such documentary evidence could throw light on the riots as well as the conspiracy behind the train-burning case.
The records of calls made in Godhra town could be a clue to ascertain movements of the accused in the train-burning conspiracy, police officials and others, said Bhatt, 47, an inspector-general rank officer belonging to the 1988 batch.
Secondly, as regards his charge of undermining the proceedings of a writ petition filed by activist Mallika Sarabhai in the Supreme Court in 2002 on the riots and the role of the state government, Bhatt said he substantiated the matter with documentary proof in the affidavit.
{{/usCountry}}Secondly, as regards his charge of undermining the proceedings of a writ petition filed by activist Mallika Sarabhai in the Supreme Court in 2002 on the riots and the role of the state government, Bhatt said he substantiated the matter with documentary proof in the affidavit.
{{/usCountry}}He stated in the petition, “I had also provided the SIT verifiable details regarding the ongoing cover-up operation, including the efforts made by high officials of the state administration to undermine the writ petition.”
“I have time and again tried to bring these facts to the notice of the SIT but they seem to be disinclined to follow them up in the course of the inquiry/investigation,” he said.
SIT chairman RK Raghavan, who arrived in Gandhinagar to prepare a progress report to be submitted before the apex court ahead of the scheduled hearing on May 27, was unavailable for comment despite several attempts. The SIT is likely to submit its report to the court on Monday.