In a letter to the two-member judicial panel, Bhatt said, "In addition to my deposition before the Commission, the latest affidavit of Sreekumar also clearly refers to the direct role of Narendra Modi in undermining judicial process connected with the Gujarat riots of 2002."
Bhatt, during his deposition before the Commission in May this year, had alleged that Modi tried to undermine the proceeding in a petition filed by social activist Mallika Sarabhai in Supreme Court with regard to the riots.
"It would, therefore, be entirely appropriate and in the interest of justice that Narendra Modi, R B Sreekumar and the undersigned (Bhatt) are jointly examined on oath by this Commission," the senior IPS officer said in his letter. He said the alleged incident is squarely covered by the terms of reference of the Commission, which is probing the post-Godhra communal violence in the state. "This would help in bringing out the truth with respect to a number of issues connected with the orchestration of the riots as well as the administrative complicity and connivance, not only in the carnage but also in the subsequent cover-up operations executed during the time-period covered under ToR of the Commission," Bhatt further stated.
The controversial police officer has sent copies of the letter to Modi, Sreekumar and Sarabhai.
Sarabhai had moved an application in November demanding cross-examination of Bhatt and his then superior officer, Sreekumar, with regard to alleged role of Modi in sabotaging court proceedings related to her 2002 petition, seeking action against the chief minister with regards to the riots.
The social activist has alleged that Modi bribed her lawyer using Rs 10 lakh from the Secret Service Fund.
On December 13, the riot panel rejected Sarabhai's application, saying it was mainly based on allegation by Bhatt and did not fall under its scope of inquiry. The Commission however, made it clear that it was open for Bhatt and Sreekumar to file an affidavit and give further details with respect to the alleged incident (bribery).
Sreekumar had recently filed an affidavit in the commission, comprising G T Nanavati and Akshay Mehta, supporting Bhatt's claim about Modi "bribing" Sarabhai's lawyer to derail her petition.
Bhatt, in the letter, has also sought directions to DGP, ADGP (state Intelligence Bureau) and chairman of Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing some of the riots cases, to provide him with access to certain records of the violence and statements made by him before SIT, set up by the apex court.
He has given a list of documents, which he said would be required to file affidavit before the Commission giving details of alleged role of Modi, former Minister Amit Shah as well as advocates attached with certain law offices in Ahmedabad and Delhi in undermining Sarabhai's petition.
Bhatt was DCP (state Intelligence Bureau) in Ahmedabad during the riots, triggered by Godhra train burning. The list contains 46 documents, including state control room records, telephone call details, movement diaries of top police officials and intelligence reports.
