SIT happy with order, says it is a greater responsibility

The order of the Supreme Court on the Godhra riots cases has not only encouraged the victims to hope for justice, but has also motivated the torchbearers of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to expedite the judicial process.

“Our responsibilities have increased and we will act to prove right the trust that the Supreme Court and victims have placed in us,” SIT chairman RK Raghavan said.

The SIT will soon start the process of forming courts in the city. “Though there is no specific deadline for proceeding with our new responsibility, we will get everything going as soon as possible,” Raghavan said. The SIT chairman said he was happy with the direction of the apex court and is ready to take on more responsibility.

“I think this is going to facilitate the work of the SIT in Gujarat. I look forward to further work in that direction,” he said.

Raghavan said it was very humbling to know that the apex court had that much trust in him and that the court wanted him to ensure that witnesses in the cases were given due protection. “I hope that the case comes to a conclusion in less than a year,” he said.

(With inputs from agencies)