Naroda case: SIT to probe role of four senior cops

Gujarat EDN

AM 08DEC2011

Riot victims had sought the inclusion of the then Naroda Inspector K K Mysorewala, DCP P B Gondia, JCP M K Tandon and police commissioner P C Pande as accused in case

A Special Court on Wednesday directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to further probe the role of four senior police officers including former Police Commissioner P C Pande during the 2002 post-Godhra riots in Naroda Patiya in which 95 people were killed.

The directions for further probe on the basis of phone call records provided by some of the victims, were given on the plea of riot victims. Seeking further investigation in the matter, the victims had prayed that four top-level police officers, who were part of conspiracy that lead to police inaction during riots, be included as accused.

The application had sought inclusion of the then Naroda Inspector K K Mysorewala, DCP (Zone IV) P B Gondia, JCP (sector 2) M K Tandon (now retired) and Police Commissioner P C Pande (who retired as DGP), as accused in the case.

Special Judge Jyotsna Yagnik disposed of the victims’ application after Himanshu Shukla Investigating officer of SlT filed a reply stating that further investigation was on and the final report, as directed by the Supreme Court, would be filed in a magisterial court that had taken cognisance of the issue in 2002.

Following this assurance, victims’ advocate Y B Sheikh did not press with the application. Directing the SIT to look into the clues provided by the victims and conduct further investigation if not done so far, Special Judge Jyotsna Yagnik said, “It was important to look into the allegations in the larger interest of justice”.

Special public prosecutor Akhil Desai submitted that the SIT would further investigate the phone call details of certain officers.

He added that the SIT would not hesitate to look into the clues provided by the victims and was willing to examine the matter afresh if so required.

The victims had alleged that these police officers were vital part of the criminal conspiracy which they had jointly hatched with some of the accused in the case including a former minister and MLA from Naroda and some local BJP leaders.