Ex-Guj home minister knew about violence unfolding in Gulberg, Naroda: Sanjiv Bhatt

Suspended IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt today claimed that former minister of state for home, Gordhan Zadafia, was aware of riots in Naroda area and Gulberg society here when the communal violence unfolded there during the 2002 riots.

Zadafia, deposing before Nanavati Commission which is probing the riots, had said he was not aware of incidents in Naroda and Gulburg society as they took place.

Bhatt has written a letter to the commission stating that both Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Zadafia had been kept well-informed about the on-going violence in Ahmedabad.

Bhatt has attached copies of the messages about the situation at Gulberg society on February 28, 2002, sent to the chief minister's office and office of MoS (home) by him, when he was posted as deputy commissioner in the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB).

"Both the Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Zadafia were kept contemporaneously informed about decision of bringing dead bodies to Ahmedabad, and the likely repercussions of said administrative decision; as well as the on-going violence at Gulberg Society and other places in Ahmedabad," letter says.

During his in-camera deposition on December 27, Zadafia had also questioned phone call details with regard to him, produced by IPS officer Rahul Sharma, and claimed they were incorrect. Bhatt's letter, written today, terms Zadafia's claim as false.