The Supreme Court appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) that probed into a complaint by Zakia Jafri against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and others, on Wednesday submitted its closure report before the special trial court for the 2002 Gulberg Society massacre case. The probe team however requested that the court to not open the files as they are planning to challenge the order that mandated them to produce the report before the trial court. Following this, the court adjourned the hearing till the next month.
Based on the application of some victims and witnesses, the trial court presided over by specially appointed judge B J Dhandha, had ordered SIT to submit a relevant portion of its closure report. Previously, SIT was pulled up by the trial court for it did not submit the report.
On Wednesday, SIT complied with the order and submitted two sealed covers before the court. Soon after, SIT counsel RC Kodekar moved an application requesting the court not to open the covers.
SIT’s main objection for not submitting the closure report before the trial court was that the metropolitan court, where the original closure report has been submitted, is yet to take a decision.
SIT believed that presenting portions of the same to the trial court for the Gulberg Society massacre case would lead to parallel judicial hearings.
Also, if the court for the Gulberg Society massacre case passes an order on the basis of the report, it might lead to a prejudice amongst either parties in the case according to the SIT.
