Will depose on Modi role in Sarabhai's petition: Bhatt

Suspended Indian Police Service officer Sanjiv Bhatt on Thursday told the Nanavati Commission that he was willing to depose with regard to the alleged role of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in undermining a petition filed by social activist Mallika Sarabhai after the 2002 riots.

Bhatt said this when he was called by the two-member judicial panel, probing the post-Godhra riots, during hearing on an application of Sarabhai demanding Bhatt's cross- examination with regard to alleged role of Modi in sabotaging court proceedings.

During his questioning on May 23 by Central Relief Committee advocate B M Mangukia before the Commission, Bhatt alleged Modi had tried to undermine the proceeding in the petition filed in the Supreme Court. "I have given my intent and shown willingness to depose with regard to Sarabhai's 2002 petition. If Commission wants to know the truth they can call me anytime," Bhatt said after the hearing was over.

The Commission reserved order on Sarabhai's application for cross-examination of Bhatt with regard to role of Modi and his colleagues in allegedly bribing her lawyer to stall proceedings on her petition.

Sarabhai had contended that since the IPS officer was no longer constrained by Zakia Jaffery's petition in the SC as it has been disposed, the panel should call Bhatt for giving details of the role of Modi and others with regard to her petition, in which she had alleged inaction by the government in curbing the communal violence after the Godhra train carnage.