‘Bodies in mass grave were exhumed in 2002’

Citing records, Brahmbhatt gave the following details of the burial, over which activists and relatives of riot victims have raised a furore:

• Thirty-four bodies of riot victims were recovered from various places like Pandarvada, Lunavada, Kidiad.

• Six were identified and handed over to relatives.

• Of the 28 that remained, 16 were unidentified.

• As no relative turned up within the stipulated time, the local administration had the bodies buried.

• In October 2002, some riot survivors turned up with claims. All the bodies were exhumed. Eight were identified and handed over to relatives.

• The remaining 20 were buried again at the same site.

The collector said, ‘‘We’ll co-operate with anyone who wants to probe the matter…’’ Express also spoke to Sub-Inspector H V Rathod, who was then posted at Khanpur police station in Lunavada, and is now with the state CID (crime).

He said the bodies being dug up by riot victims’ relatives in Pandarwada had all been buried following proper legal procedure.

‘‘All Muslims had fled to safety. So we took the bodies found in the villages, and had post-mortem conducted,’’ he said. ‘‘Since we don’t have morgue facility, we handed over the bodies to Lunavada nagarpalika, which had them bodies buried in accordance with Islamic rites. Panchnamas of the burial were recorded.’’

Centre asks Gujarat govt to submit report

NEW DELHI: The Centre has asked Gujarat government to submit a report on skeletal remains found in a mass grave at Lunavada in Panchamahals district near Godhra. Officials said Home Secretary V K Duggal has sought the report from Gujarat Chief Secretary as soon as possible. Though the ministry is apparently keen to take on the BJP-led Gujarat government, its hands are tied as law and order is a state subject and it is up to the state government to order a CBI inquiry. The CBI can take up investigation only if it feels that the remains could be connected with the Bilkis Bano rape and murder case, which it is investigating on court orders.

On this basis, a CBI team visited the spot today. Senior CBI officials, however, said the place was 100 km from the place where Bilkis Bano rape-cum-murder had taken place.