Panel puts off re-examination of ex-officials

After the controversy-ridden deposition of Bhatt,the Commission had summoned the three,besides two other serving officials,all of whom held key positions during the 2002 riots.

Narayan was the then additional chief secretary (home) while Chakravartty was the DGP. Pande was the Ahmedabad police commissioner. The two others summoned were the then principal secretary to CM Anil Mukim,who is now on central deputation,and the then home secretary K Nityanandam.

The Commission had summoned Chakravartty and Narayan on Tuesday. While Narayan did not come due to personal reasons,Chakravartty appeared before the Commission.

However,before the commencement of Chakravartty’s deposition,JSM’s and JUH’s advocates,Mukul Sinha and K G Vakharia,objected to the re-examination saying he had already been examined and cross-examined by the Commission.

Sinha said that under the law,a witness can be recalled only if some new issue has arisen. The witnesses could be recalled for improving on the original evidence given earlier,he added.

“Sanjiv Bhatt has stated something about February 27,2002 meeting called by the chief minister and Narayan,Chakravartty and Pande have already given a different version on this during their depositions earlier. So,now it is up to the Commission to take a decision as to who is telling the truth. There is no need to call the three officers again on the issue,” said Sinha.

The Commission has reserved its order and adjourned the examination of the three officers till then.