Another deserved rap

In the first instance, the Sabarkantha District Civil Court issued summons to Chief Minister Narendra Modi in three civil suits seeking compensation for the families of two Britons killed in the post-Godhra riots.

The suits had argued that there is a link between these murders and the 8220;acts and omissions8221; of Modi and his ministerial colleagues. What compounds this perception is the additional charge that the Modi government has displayed a blatant lack of motivation in ensuring that justice is done in the numerous cases of murder and mayhem that occurred during that terrible interregnum.

It was this very apathy that the Supreme Court once again attacked in its response to the Gujarat government8217;s application, seeking a modification of its April 12 order shifting the trial of the Best Bakery case out of Gujarat to Maharashtra.

After a thorough examination of that application, the apex court came to the unmistakable conclusion that the state government8217;s sympathies 8220;were more for the accused than the victims8221;.

It was this, and the fact that the 8220;monstrosity of the manner8221; in which courts in Gujarat handled the riot cases, that had obviously most disturbed the Supreme Court. It also used the occasion as a reminder that as the 8220;highest court of the land8221; it retains its inherent power to deal with extraordinary situations in the larger interests of justice. This was a passionate reiteration of the stand it had taken in its April 12 order.

If the state government stands severely embarrassed by the Supreme Court8217;s observations today 8212; there have even been demands for Modi8217;s resignation over them 8212; it has only itself to blame. It really had no business to seek a modification of that earlier order.

The move once again exposed its callous and cavalier approach to ensuring justice with regard to the riot cases.