2002 post-Godhra riots: SC directs Gujarat govt not to take action against retired DGP R B Sreekumar

Talking to The Indian Express, Sreekumar said, “As part of the inquiry, the government had issued me a chargesheet.

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The main charges against me were maintaining a ‘semi official’ diary, audio recording of conversations with government officials and producing secret government documents related to the 2002 communal riots before the Nanavati Commission (which was probing the 2002 riots).”

“However, the chargesheet was dismissed by Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) following which the State Government had gone for an appeal before Gujarat High Court (HC). And the HC had ruled that I cannot take benefit under Section 6 of Commissions of Inquiry Act,” said Sreekumar.

Section 6 of Commissions of Inquiry Act provides protection against government action to any officer who produce evidence before a judicial commission.

“The HC had given me time till October 10 to challenge the order. And accordingly, I had challenged the order before the Supreme Court. And the court has asked the state government not to take any action on the chargesheet till November 2 when further hearing is scheduled,” Sreekumar added.

Sreekumar added that the government counsel also told the court that no action would be taken against him till November 2.