SIT quizzes former Guj minister in 2002 riots case

The Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team on Friday questioned former Bharatiya Janata Party minister I K Jadeja for over two hours in connection with the Gulburg society riot case of 2002.

"I was called for further questioning by the SIT today. I have answered their questions. I cannot reveal anything further," Jadeja said after coming out of SIT office in Gandhinagar.

This is the second time after November 9, 2009 that Jadeja, who was urban development minister in 2002 and is currently a state BJP spokesperson, was questioned by the SIT.

The SIT in March had also questioned IPS officer Sanjeev Bhatt. The recording of statements of Bhatt and Jadeja was done by SIT after the Supreme Court ordered it to consider whether further probe was required against Chief Minister Narendra Modi and 62 others in connection with the complaint filed by Zakia Jaffery, widow of former Congress MP Ehsan Jaffery, who was among the 69 killed in Gulburg society post Godhra riots.

The apex court had in March, with regard to the SIT report, stated that the "inferences and evidence do not match with findings" and asked the agency to submit its report by April 25 on whether further investigations were required in Zakia's complaint.

Zakia had approached the apex court after the Gujarat high court refused on November 3, 2007 to give any direction and asked her to seek redressal before the magistrate's court.

She had alleged that between February and May 2002 there was a "deliberate and intentional failure" of the state government to protect the life and property of innocents.

In her complaint she further alleged that Modi and 62 others, including his cabinet colleagues, police officials and senior bureaucrats aided and abetted the riots which left over 1,000 people dead across the state.

In connection with Zakia's complaint, SIT has already recorded statements of Modi and number of persons named in her complaint which include, former minister of state for home Gordhan Zadafia, former BJP MLA from Lunawada Kalu Malivad and sitting MLA from Mehsana Anil Patel, former IPS officer R B Sreekumar, social activist Teesta Setalvad, IG Shivanand Jha, some other senior police officers and political leaders.