Haren Pandya's father on Friday accused Chief Minister Narendra Modi of 'attempting to defame the ex-Gujarat minister' and 'influencing Muslim riot victims to tarnish Pandya's image for his own political gains'.
Vithalbhai Pandya submitted a written statement outlining his charges to the two-man Nanavati commission probing the post-Godhra communal riots in Ahmedabad.
Pandya was among rioters: Victim
"There is no truth in the statement by (Dr Yunus Mohammed Usman) Bhavnagri that my son's presence encouraged a violent and armed mob outside their house in Paldi area. The witness has been politically guided," he told the commission.
Vithalbhai's statement was not taken on record, but his written complaint was accepted.
Bhavnagri was summoned on Friday by the commission for cross-examination by government counsel Arvind Pandya.
The doctor stuck to his statement that the slain BJP leader was outside his house along with a mob, but admitted he had not mentioned this earlier in his police complaint.
He later told mediapersons that he did not name Pandya in the police complaints as he 'felt that it could hamper the case'.
Twelve other witnesses deposed before the Commission on Friday.
The Gujarat Riots: Complete Coverage
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