SIT chief meets HC chief justice, discusses judges' appointment

In the wake of the Supreme Court directing that fast-track courts be set up in Gujarat for disposal of eight post-Godhra riots cases, head of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), RK Raghavan met chief justice of the Gujarat high court, KS Radhakrishnan on Tuesday.

In a closed door meeting that lasted more than an hour, Raghavan discussed the modalities with regard to the appointment of judges and public prosecutors for the fast-track courts.

A source in the high court said that Raghavan extended a formal request to the chief justice with regard to the implementation of the apex court’s order.

“The meeting was held to discuss how the Supreme Court order can be taken forward,” Raghavan said. Justices KS Jhaveri, DH Waghela, AL Dave and MS Shah also attended the meeting, as did SIT members Geeta Johri, Ashish Bhatia and Shivanand
Jha.

Raghavan, who arrived at Ahmedabad airport at 12 pm, rushed to the SIT office. Talking to media personnel, he said that witness protection will be afforded the highest priority during the trials of the riots cases.

“All those deposing before the courts will be provided with adequate protection. They need not fear anybody,” he said. His colleagues in the team have been asked to prepare a plan in connection with protecting witnesses, an exercise which will be concluded within two days.

Responding to a question on whether they was need for witnesses to be taken outside Gujarat for their protection, Raghavan said he saw no reason for creating such an atmosphere here. “If a witness complains that he or she is being intimidated, it will only go against the defence,” he said.

Fast-track courts will be formed to conduct day-to-day hearings in cases including those of the Sabarmati Express, Gulbarg society, Naroda Patia and Naroda gaam massacres.