Ahmedabad, March 20 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is not likely
to depose before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) Sunday on accusations
made by Zakia Jaffri, widow of former Congress MP Ehsan Jaffri killed during
the 2002 communal riots.
Beyond an acknowledgement of the notice sent to
him, there has been no further response from the chief minister, sources in
the SIT said.
SIT chief R.K. Raghavan said: "I am now in Chennai. My
coming to Ahmedabad would depend on developments."
The absence of any
official communication to the SIT and the presence of its chief in Chennai is
indicative that the chief minister is not slated to depose Sunday at least,
officials said.
The notice issued to Modi is reported to have sought his
deposition in the week beginning Sunday, so for all practical purposes the
chief minister would be well within his right to depose any time of his
choosing within this period.
Officials said there was every likelihood
that he may not depose, choosing to seek more time instead.
The
Supreme Court is to hear former BJP legislator Kalu Maliwad's
petition questioning the locus standi of the SIT to seek a deposition. The
pertition is slated to come up for hearing on April 5.
Highly placed
sources here said this opened up the option for the chief minister to seek
time for deposition until there is some clarity on the issue. Earlier, the
Gujarat High Court had rejected a similar plea of Maliwad.
Zakia's
complaint to date is the only document which directly indicts Modi as an
accused in 2002 Gujarat riots. The complaint lists 62 other high-profile
politicians, bureaucrats and police officials.
PTI Ads:
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has not so far responded to the summons issued by the Special Investigation team to appear before it tomorrow in connection with the 2002 post-Godhra riots even as his office remained tight-lipped over the matter.
"There is no response from Modi as yet," SIT chief R K Raghavan told PTI.
A government official, meanwhile, said, "Nobody knows what is in his (Modi's) mind. It is very difficult to read somebody's thoughts. He is holding all the cards close to his chest which he will reveal only at the right moment".
Modi was summoned to appear before the probe panel following allegations by Zakia Jaffery, widow of former MP Ehsan Jaffery, killed in the Gulburg Society riots.a
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