Nanavati panel rejects Bhatt's plea to defer proceedings

Gandhinagar: The Nanavati-Mehta Judicial Inquiry Commission probing the 2002 Gujarat communal riots Tuesday rejected the plea of Indian Police Service officer Sanjeev Bhatt, who has accused Chief Minister Narendra Modi of complicity, to defer the proceedings till the state government provides him services of a legal counsel.

Bhatt told the commission that he would need legal assistance while he is being cross-examined by the government. Rejecting his request, the commission told Bhatt to "think and answer" the questions put to him.

On Bhatt's request to allow access to details of call data, control room messages, intelligence records etc., the commission asked him to give a specific list and said it would consider the application if Bhatt gave specific dates for which he sought the data.

Bhatt, while terming the Modi government as vindictive, claimed it has the records of phone calls and other data for the riots period but it is not disclosing the full details.

He also objected to the government counsel's questions on old cases against him and sought that the government file an affidavit to which he would reply. Hearing on this issue is slated for May 27.

Bhatt's deposition on his affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, wherein he alleged that Modi had "allowed Hindus to vent out their anger" and wanted "Muslims to be taught a lesson", is scheduled for Wednesday.
 

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Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov witnessing the signing of agreements between two countries, in New Delhi on May 18, 2011.

(Photo: BM Meena)