Two years after questioning, a leaked report reveals he was asked only straight questions.
Was Narendra Modi cross examined or given an opportunity to justify himself in the nine hours when SIT interrogated him in 2010 about his role in 2002 riots?
Two years after he was questioned by the Supreme Court- appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT), it has emerged that chief minister Narendra Modi was put only straight questions — he was neither interrogated nor cross-questioned
— during his questioning in connection with his alleged role in the 2002 riots.
High drama had been created when SIT summoned Modi to its office in Gandhinagar on March 23, 2010 to question him.
The questioning ran for nine hours and he was asked 71 questions by AK Malhotra, a senior member of SIT. The SIT questioned the CM on a petition filed by Zakia Jafri, widow of slain former Congress MP Ahsan Jafri, in the Supreme Court.
Nearly two years after the questioning, copies of the question-answer (questions put by SIT and answers given by Modi) were made available to media on Thursday. A copy is also available with DNA.
Looking at the SIT questions and Modi's answers, it seems the SIT only asked him straight questions and it did not try to shoot cross-questions to corner him.
During the questioning, Modi denied any negligence or failure on part of the state administration by saying that he had instructed police from time to time to maintain law and order and take steps to ensure peace and harmony between two communities.
However, legal experts and activists say the SIT did not try to bring out the truth.
"Examination made by Malhotra does not in any way attempt to bring out the truth, but it appears to be tailored to defend the chief minister. The answers obscure the truth rather than reveal it," said Dr Mukul Sinha, lawyer and activist.
He said there are several replies given by the chief minister which hide the truth but no attempt was made to contradict the CM.
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