The Hindu : National : Nanavati panel discussion inconclusive

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Sunday, Dec 18, 2005

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National

Nanavati panel discussion inconclusive

Special Correspondent

Plea of riot victims' advocate rejected

AHMEDABAD: The G.T. Nanavati and K.G. Shah judicial inquiry commission probing the Godhra train carnage and the post-Godhra communal riots in Gujarat in 2002, inconclusively discussed on Saturday the ramifications of the Presidential Secretariat turning down the request for a copy of the letter written by the former President, K.R. Narayanan, to the then Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, on the Gujarat riots.

The commission rejected the contention of Mukul Sinha, advocate for the riot victims, that for producing a document like the copy of the former President's letter, the President need not act on the advice of the Central Government. Justice Nanavati agreed with the letter sent by the Presidential Secretariat on December 9 that acting on the advice of the Centre, the President had decided against entertaining any further correspondence on the issue and all matters concerning the production of the letter be directed to the Central Government.

Justice Nanavati also pointed out that summons either to the President or the Central Government would create a "situation of confrontation" which would be unprecedented in the history of judicial inquiry commissions. "What if we issue summons and it is not complied with by the President? The commission cannot take any action against the President." Further hearing on seeking a copy of Mr. Narayanan's letter would be held on December 22 when the commission would also discuss the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's application for securing relevant documents from the U.C. Bannerjee Committee probing the Godhra train carnageContrary to a report in a section of the media, both Lakhabhai and Ratnabhai, constable and head constable posted at the Dahod railway police outpost on the day of the Godhra carnage, have denied that the kar sevaks had created any trouble at the Dahod platform.

In statements submitted before the commission, both gave identical reports. They claimed that they were present at the platform when the Sabarmati Express arrived at Dahod on way to Godhra and Ahmedabad around 6.40 a.m. Some of the kar sevaks had alighted for tea and snacks at the platform and boarded the train quietly when it left after a two-minute halt. There was nothing alarming at Dahod station and they had left for home for morning chores. Only when they returned for duty later in the day did they learn about the train carnage, they claimed.

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