Narendra Modi's questioning is a 'very big step forward': RK Raghavan

Special investigation team (SIT) head RK Raghavan has said the questioning of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi in connection with the 2002 communal riots and the Gulbarg Society massacre is a big step forward in seeking to deliver justice to victims.

But he said it is the Supreme Court’s responsibility to decide whether a case needs to be filed against Modi.

Declining to reveal details of the questioning, Raghavan said former CBI deputy inspector general AK Malhotra had grilled Modi in two sessions, and when the time was appropriate, he would interact with Malhotra to assess the questioning.

Asked if he was satisfied with Modi’s answers, Raghavan said, “I am happy he was there. I haven’t spoken to Malhotra yet. But he seemed satisfied. I suppose there was a satisfactory interaction between the chief minister and Malhotra.”

Asked why he did not question Modi, Raghavan said it is customary in the CBI for the head of the organisation to never be present during questioning. He said the petition of Zakia Jafri, widow of Congress MP Ehsan Jafri who was killed along with 68 others in the Gulbarg Society riots in 2002, was the SIT’s “Bible”.

“I have greatest concern for the victims and I have never failed to take my eye
away from justice. I am conscious of the sacred trust given by the Supreme Court,” a TV channel quoted him as saying.

Asked whether SIT had issued Modi a summon or a notice, Raghavan said, “That is history. He came, appeared that’s all.”