Investigate Narendra Modi's role in 2002 riots: CPI(M)

The CPI(M) today demanded immediate investigation of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi's role in the 2002 post-Godhra riots and his prosecution following accusations by a senior state police officer.

Noting that the affidavit filed by the officer, Sanjeev Bhatt, had alleged that Modi had "instructed senior police officials in a meeting not to act to protect Muslims from violence", the party said the statement "confirms the culpability of the chief minister in the pogroms".

"There should be no further delay in the investigations into the role of Narendra Modi and initiating steps to prosecute him," the CPI(M) Politburo said in a statement here.

It said Bhatt's affidavit filed in the Supreme Court has "provided direct evidence of the role of the Gujarat chief minister in the 2002 pogroms against the minority community".