‘State legal dept to appoint public prosecutors in consultation with SIT’

“We are waiting for a copy of the SC order. As soon as we receive it,the State Legal Department will appoint public prosecutors after the SIT examines their bonafides and professional integrity and recommends their names,” said a senior official in the CMO on Friday.

The official told Newsline that the six districts most affected by the post-Godhra riots were Panchmahals,Vadodara,Anand,Ahmedabad,Mehsana and Sabarkantha.

He added that though the SC has directed to set up fast track courts only in Ahmedabad,Mehsana and Sabarkantha,the government would help the SIT to have such courts in other districts,too,if the investigating agency required so.

The official said a large number of witnesses would have to be examined and cross-examined in the cases related to the riots.

“It would be a mammoth legal process to be undertaken by the fast track courts in the days to come,and the government will co-operate in this to ensure a speedy delivery of justice to the riot victims”,he said.

Meanwhile,government spokesman Jay Narayan Vyas has hailed the SC order,saying it vindicates the ruling BJP’s stand over holding of the trial in riots cases in Gujarat only.

“It’s heartening to note that the apex court has reposed its faith in the judicial system of Gujarat. Our government will not only fully cooperate with the SIT,but will also provide adequate safety and security to the witnesses during the trial of post-Godhra riots cases in the fast track courts in the state,” Vyas said.