Godhra probe: Top cop says he let train proceed

When the carnage took place in February, 2002, Swaroop was the Inspector-General of the Vadodara range and Godhra was under his jurisdiction.

He told the commission his priority was to ensure that the other passengers in the train reached their destination at earliest, and safely. ‘‘There was no time to check the intact coaches,’’ he said. ‘‘The passengers were instructed to board the train.’’

Swaroop also said he had spoken to Chief Minister Narendra Modi on the day of the carnage and stressed that ‘‘Godhra needed to be put under curfew.’’

He said he had received the chief minister that day at a helipad and had a private conversation with him but added that could not recollect the details of what they discussed.

Modi had later visited Godhra railway station and examined the burnt carriages before proceeding to Ahmedabad by road, Swaroop said.

He said he was in charge of Modi’s security in Godhra and, considering the situation, had wanted Modi to fly back to Ahmedabad. But since night-flying was not permitted then, Modi had left by road.