Riot probe may take one more year

AHMEDABAD: It will take at least another year before the plethora of questions that were raised in the wake of burning of coach S-6 of the Sabarmati Express at Godhra on February 27, 2002 are answered.
Though all eyes rest on the Justice G T Nanavati and Justice K G Shah Commission of Inquiry into Godhra and its aftermath, the probe panel may not be able to wrap up its inquiry and submit the report before June 5, 2003, when its twice extended term expires.
Appointed on March 7, with retired High Court judge Justice Shah, retired Supreme Court judge Justice Nanavati was later appointed its chairman. It was to complete the whole exercise within three months.
However, at the very outset, the judges had expressed inability to complete the probe in such a short span — following which its term was extended twice — in June and December. But indications are that the report will not be out before the first anniversary of the Godhra incident.
“Since we have to look into all incidents, including Godhra and those that occurred till April 30 in various districts of the state, we will naturally need some more time to deal with it.We have almost completed recording evidence in the Godhra incident and will soon start receiving evidence of other incidents,� Justice Nanavati told TNN.
But what exactly are the causes of the delay? “A lot of material has been submitted to the Commission for examination and it needs to be studied in detail. After that, it will be possible to decide how many more witnesses need to be called,� says Justice Nanavati.
Moreover, as the witnesses are required to be identified, summoned and examined, delay is inevitable, “Some of them do not turn up on their own, others don’t turn up even after being summoned while some officials have got transferred. All these factors are responsible for the delay.�
Justice Nanavati further says that as the report is not based on the statements recorded by the police, it has to record its own evidence.
“The Commission is expected to find out the real reason responsible for the incident, give all necessary details and take an overall view of the incidents,� he explains.
Riot panel hearings in Godhra
The two-member Justice G T Nanavati & Justice K G Shah Commission of Inquiry into the Godhra incident and its aftermath will hold hearings for riots that took place in Panchmahals and Dahod districts in Godhra. A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting of the members of the commission with senior police officials here on Monday.
Sources said that the decision to hold the hearings in Godhra was taken for the convenience of riot victims and concerned officials of these districts. Similarly, hearings for riots in Vadodara and Bharuch districts will be held in Vadodara, officials said. Officials added that the hearings in Godhra are likely to begin within a fortnight. Following this, the commission will begin hearings in Vadodara.