BJP slams PC for welcoming affidavit against Modi

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday accused Union Home Minister P Chiadambaram of interfering with the judicial process by welcoming India Police Service officer Sanjeev Bhatt's statement against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on 2002 riots when the matter is sub-judice.

"Police officer Sanjeev Bhatt took his affidavit directly to the Supreme Court bypassing the SIT. This was welcomed by the Union Home Minister," BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman told mediapersons while questioning Bhatt's intention of not submitting the affidavit to the SIT which is investigating the 2002 riots.

Bhatt has alleged that Modi had given instructions to senior police officials that Hindus should be allowed to vent their anger against Muslims after the Godhra train carnage.

Chidambaram welcomed Bhatt's statement at a press meet held at Jaipur by some independent advocates.

"Is it appropriate for the home minister to welcome Bhatt's affidavit? Is it the right thing to do? Does it not mean interfering with the process of judiciary by a home minister who is also a senior lawyer himself," Sitharaman said.

Citing media reports, she said Bhatt was found involved in a narcotics case in which he allegedly planted drugs in the hotel room of an advocate to settle scores. Bhatt was found guilty of wrongdoing and the Gujarat government had to pay Rs 1 lakh for it, she said.