Gujarat Riots: Zakia Jafri's Plea Against Clean Chit To Narendra Modi: LIVE UPDATES From Supreme Court

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16 Nov 2021 11:04 AM IST

  • Gujarat Riots: Zakia Jafris Plea Against Clean Chit To Narendra Modi: LIVE UPDATES From Supreme Court

    Supreme Court will continue hearing today the petition filed by Zakia Jafri challenging the SIT's clean chit to the then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi & other high functionaries in the #GujaratRiots of 2002.A Bench comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari and CT Ravikumar is hearing the matter.During the course of 3 days before today, Mr. Sibal took the bench through the documents...

    Supreme Court will continue hearing today the petition filed by Zakia Jafri challenging the SIT's clean chit to the then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi & other high functionaries in the #GujaratRiots of 2002.

    A Bench comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari and CT Ravikumar is hearing the matter.

    During the course of 3 days before today, Mr. Sibal took the bench through the documents to demonstrate the failure of the SIT in investigating the matter and the flaw in SIT's stand that there was no violence or arson. SIT has not challenged the Gujarat High Court's decision to acquit Maya Kodnani, former BJP MLA from Naroda, who was identified as the 'kingpin' in the Naroda Patiya massacre of 2002 by the trial court, Mr. Kapil Sibal argued hinting at the political optics of the SIT not challenging the High Court order. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal told the Supreme Court that the SIT head RK Raghavan was appointed as a High Commissioner later, and all these people who 'collaborated were rehabilitated later.

    Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal is arguing for the petitioner, Zakia Jafri, widow of Congress MLA Ehsan Jafri who was killed in the Gulberg Housing Society massacre during the 2002 Gujarat Riots. She approached the Supreme Court through a special leave petition challenging the SIT report which ruled out any "larger conspiracy" by high state functionaries in instigating the communal riots following the Godhra massacre.

    Stay On This Page For Live Updates From The Hearing.

    Live Updates

    • 16 Nov 2021 12:14 PM IST

      Sibal: Kindly have a quick look at the Act. Section 12 of the Act. [Reads out provision]

    • 16 Nov 2021 12:14 PM IST

      Sibal: Milords, this is part of the record of NHRC. All part of their statutory obligation, presided over by a retired CJ of this Court. The Commissioner of Police should have investigated. SIT also did not access the records. This is our grievance.

    • 16 Nov 2021 12:14 PM IST

      Sibal: Reads from NHRC Report ...Amar Singh Choudhary personally contacted the Commissioner. Why was he not examined. Then NGO activist complaining about discrimination in arrest.

      ibal: Mobs were led by VHP, BJP and Bajrang Dal leaders. Mobs were equipped with kerosene...They had list of Muslim houses,shops...When SIT was constituted they should have accessed these records. Next is Vadodara.Lot of details on Vadodara also given. Then Godhra is dealt with.

    • 16 Nov 2021 12:13 PM IST

      Sibal: Milords, this is part of the record of NHRC. All part of their statutory obligation, presided over by a retired CJ of this Court. The Commissioner of Police should have investigated. SIT also did not access the records. This is our grievance.

    • 16 Nov 2021 12:05 PM IST

      Sibal: Why did the SIT discard this. What Zakia said was nothing new, it was already part of record and yet SIT did not investigate these matters.

    • 16 Nov 2021 12:05 PM IST

      Sibal: pg 50. [Reads from NHRC Report which noted that - The VHP gave a call for bandh supported by State BJP. Police did not take precaution in known areas which were sensitive...Police acted as silent spectators.]

      Sibal: Why I am showing this is that the fact that this material was available even when SIT was appointed by this Court. The submission is that when this evidence was available why did they not act on it even before the complaint was made by Zakia.

    • 16 Nov 2021 11:59 AM IST

      Sibal: [Reads from the NHRC proceedings - Provocative statement by local media to be examined. Govt said that it would be looked into, but no specification was provided.]

      Sibal: [Reads NHRC recommendation on Indentification of Delinquent public servants.] No person prosecuted for hate speeches.

    • 16 Nov 2021 11:58 AM IST

      Bench: These are all recommendation.

      Sibal: Your Lordship is right. These are recommendation. Under the Act they have some statutory force. No objections (by public prosecutor) on grant of bail. That is the point I am trying to make.

    • 16 Nov 2021 11:57 AM IST

      Sibal: Special prosecutor and special courts was also rejected. [NHRC stated - The response did not indicate if the recommendation of special prosecutors and special courts were accepted by the State Govt.]

    • 16 Nov 2021 11:56 AM IST

      Sibal: By morning to afternoon no protection. Ashok Bhat helped him then they were shifted out. Now, come back Milords at pg. 30. Then, involvement of CBI. They recommended that CBI should be involved. Kindly see, under the heading law and order. CBI Recommendation rejected.

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