SIT can question Modi on ’02 riots: Guj HC

The Gujarat high court on Friday dismissed a petition objecting to the enquiry by the special investigation team (SIT) into the alleged role of chief minister Narendra Modi and 62 others in the riots of 2002.

In his order dismissing the petition, Justice DH Waghela of the Gujarat high court said that the SIT is conducting the preliminary enquiry on the orders of the Supreme Court, and all civil and judicial authorities are duty-bound to assist it in its enquiry.

Kalu Maliwad, a former BJP MLA, had filed a petition challenging the SIT's enquiry on the ground that the apex court had only directed the investigation team to "look into" the allegations made in Jakia Jafri's petition, and not to investigate the case according to the provisions of the CrPC.

On April 24 this year, the Supreme Court had asked the SIT to look into the allegations made against Modi and 62 others, in a petition filed by Jakia Jafri, widow of former Congress MP Ahesan Jafri, and submit a report within three months.