Guj govt extends Nanavati panel term for 15th time

The Gujarat government has extended the term of the Nanavati Commission, probing the 2002 riots in the state, till June 30, 2011, sources in the government said on Wednesday. This is the 15th extension granted to the commission.

The term of the commission comprising retired justices G T Nanavati and Akshay Mehta was last extended in June this year and was to get over on December 31. According to officials of the Nanavati Commission, they received the extension letter few days ago from the state government.

After its extension in June, the commission had questioned former minister of state for home during 2002 riots, Gordhan Zadafia, and recorded his statements. However, it had made it clear that Zadafia was not called as a witness, after it was asked by the Gujarat high court to clarify in what capacity the former minister was questioned.

In the last couple of months, the panel has recorded the statements of several policemen, including some Indian Police Service officers who were posted in Ahmedabad during the riots almost nine years ago.

In February this year, while hearing the petition by Jan Sangarsh Manch, a non-government organisation representing some of the 2002 riot victims, the Nanavati Commission had told the high court that it had completed the analysis of evidences and statements.