The survivors and Teesta Setalvad of the Citizen for Justice and Peace had filed the application, accusing SIT of having 'biased' attitude.
The application of the witnesses and survivors of the 2002 post-Godhra riots, seeking reconstitution of the special investigation team (SIT) will be heard in the Supreme Court on March 15.
The survivors and Teesta Setalvad of the Citizen for Justice and Peace had filed the application, accusing SIT of having 'biased' attitude. Talking to DNA Setalvad said, "We have asked for reconstitution of the SIT and appointment of members with a direction to them that they should spend at least 15-20 days in a month in Gujarat during the investigation and trial period."
The application further states that considering the nature and sensitivity of the cases, senior judicial officers be appointed so that the trials could conclude as soon as possible, and in a satisfactory manner.
Imitiaz Khan Pathan, a witness in the case, will file an application in the Gujarat high court on Tuesday demanding transfer of the trial from the special court of BU Joshi, alleging that he is 'biased' in favour of the accused. Earlier, the application was rejected by principal sessions judge GB Shah.
Retired IPS officer RB Sreekumar said the survivors are disappointed with the SIT as the inquires/investigations have not been carried out properly in the case, especially regarding the involvement of police officers, civil servants and politically-influential individuals.
The victims also alleged that FIRs have not been recorded properly and names of the accused officers and those politically connected have been dropped or excluded. They said some prosecutors appointed in the case had either appeared for the accused or were associated with organisations involved in the offences.
The other plea of witnesses is that some significant issues were not reinvestigated by the SIT.
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