Sanjiv Bhatt writes to Nanavati Commission
Accuses Gujarat govt of destroying riot related papers
Amid reports of a clean chit by the Supreme court appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for his alleged role in the 2002 riots, suspended IPS officer, Sanjiv Bhatt on Saturday shot off another letter to the Nanavati Commission accusing the state government and the team of “destroying” records related to the riots.
Following up on his earlier reminders, Bhatt wrote yet another letter alleging that crucial records related to the 2002 post-Godhra riots have been “destroyed’”by the Gujarat government and SIT.
“It is my genuine apprehension that relevant records have been deviously suppressed or destroyed by the government of Gujarat, as well as the SIT headed by R K Raghavan," Bhatt said adding that it had been done with the diabolical motive of shielding powerful persons from legal punishment by ensuring that crucial and relevant incriminating evidence is not brought before the courts of law.
Bhatt's allegations come after the SIT, in its final report submitted to the magistrate court, has reportedly given a clean chit to Modi and others.
“The delay on part of the Commission in requisitioning the relevant public records and documents has, inadvertently or otherwise, facilitated the destruction of incriminating evidence against the Modi or other ministers in his council,” Bhatt alleged.
Bhatt also urged the Commission to ensure that relevant records are not destroyed by the “vested interests.”
Bhatt suggested that the Commission has the powers to procure any document. “It also empowers the Commission to requisition any public record or copy thereof any court or office. It is reiterated that the documents submitted by me to the SIT as well as others which would be available with the office of the Director General and Inspector General of Police as well as the State Intelligence Bureau would clearly reveal the dubious role and criminal conduct of the then chief minister or other ministers in his council of ministers, Police Officers and other individuals and organisations,’’ said Bhatt.
