Modi to appear before SIT after fixing date,says BJP

The BJP has hinted that Gujarat CM is likely to depose before SIT at a time and date to be worked out mutually.

The BJP has hinted that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is likely to depose before the Supreme Court-appointed SIT at a time and date to be worked out mutually.

BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said on Tuesday that the question of deposing before the SIT would arise when Modi receives intimation to this effect. Asked if Modi was evading an appearance before the SIT,Javadekar said: Narendra Modi is a popular Chief Minister who has always respected the law and abided by it. We are with both Modi and the law.

BJP leaders explained that there was a difference between a notice and summons and maintained that Modi had not been summoned to appear before it on March 21. If the entire media got it wrong,how are we to blame for this, said a senior BJP leader.

Modi has,meanwhile,received full support from the party on the issue. While the party president called him prime ministerial material,Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley flew to Ahmedabad to help him deal with the issue.

In his open letter on Monday,Modi said: SIT had not fixed March 21,2010 for my appearance. To say that I was summoned on March 21 is completely false. I shall respond to the SIT fully respecting the law and keeping in view the dignity of a body appointed by the Supreme Court.

Naroda Patiya: Defence counsel withdraws

Ahmedabad: One of the defence counsels in the 2002 Naroda Patiya riot case,who was appearing for former minister Dr Maya Kodnani and 20 other accused,withdrew from the case on Tuesday without citing any specific reason.

In a packed court,when Bharat Joshi was allowed to cross-examine a key eyewitnessin the case,his first sentence was: I salute this court. This is my last day in the court. When designated judge Jyotsnan Yagnik asked why he was saying so,Joshi just said,No comments.

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In the recess,he went inside the judges chamber to give something in writing about his withdrawal from the case.

I was appearing for Kodnani as well as 15-20 other accused in the case. Today is my last day in this court, Joshi told The Indian Express later.