The NHRC today issued notices to the Narendra Modi government asking what it proposes to do against the acquittal of all the 21 accused in the infamous Best Bakery case by a fast track court in Ahmedabad.Taking note of media reports, the Commission has asked the Gujarat Chief Secretary to ‘‘inform the panel what steps, if any, the state is proposing to take against the acquittals.’’ Sources said NHRC Chairman Justice A.S. Anand had examined all press clippings, before issuing the notice.The Commission has come under flak from activists for inaction and mere lipservice in defence of the rights of ordinary citizens in the wake of the Godhra massacre and its aftermath. Sources said the NHRC had an inkling of the ground realities where eye-witnesses and victims were increasingly under pressure to retrace statements. Only 20 days before the key witnesses had turned hostile and one gone underground, NHRC had sought security for eyewitnesses.
