Special team to re-investigate post-Godhra communal riots

The Supreme Court agreed to constitute a 5-member special investigation team to re-investigate post-Godhra communal riots.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to constitute a five-member special investigation team (SIT) to re-investigate the post-Godhra communal riots and said it would submit its report within three months.

The five-member team would comprise three senior IPS officers from Gujarat, Gita Johri, Sivananad Jha and Ashish Bhatia, besides retired CBI director R K Raghavan and former DGP C B Satpathy.

A three-member bench of Justices Arijit Pasayat, P Sathasivam and Aftab Alam said it would pass necessary orders on Wednesday for constituting the SIT.

Story continues below this ad

The apex court indicated its intention to constitute the SIT after hearing the amicus curia and senior counsel Harish Salve and Gujarat Government’s senior counsel Mukul Rohatagi for more then an hour.

The issue related to the petition filed by the NHRC which has sought transfer of the trial of the riots’ cases outside Gujarat and re-investigation by an independent agency like CBI.

The NHRC had filed the petition after several witnesses turned hostile amidst allegations of threat, coercion and inducement to derail the investigation.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the designation gives law enforcement “enhanced powers to combat a group that has instilled fear through violence and intimidation”.

Canada designates Lawrence Bishnoi gang a terrorist entity

Cities27 min ago

The Canadian government has labeled the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist group, granting authorities more authority to combat their violent behavior. The gang, operating in British Columbia, Ontario, and Alberta, has been connected to 50+ violent incidents since 2023.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS