The Nanavati Commission, probing the post-Godhra communal riots, has summoned senior IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, who filed an affidavit in Supreme Court implicating Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on May 16, sources said.
Sources said that the Commission has asked Mr Bhatt to appear before it on May 16 after an application filed before it by Jan Sangarsh Manch (JSM), an NGO representing some of the riot victims.
The NGO on Tuesday approached the panel requesting it to probe role and conduct of chief minister Narendra Modi during the post-Godhra events, in the wake of the affidavit filed by Mr Bhatt. The petition moved by convenor Amrish Patel on behalf of JSM said that deposition of Mr Bhatt “will be very important and material evidence” on deciding the role and conduct of the chief minister and others during events that unfolded post-Godhra.
Mr Bhatt, in an affidavit to the Supreme Court, alleged Mr Modi of instructing state officials to allow Hindus “to vent out their anger” during the clashes and wanted Muslims to be “taught a lesson”.
JSM counsel Mukul Sinha had said that it has now become necessary to examine Mr Bhatt in the wake of revelations made by him in the affidavit. —PTI