SC order “A Conspiracy”, Says Modi
Eventually breaking his silence on the apex court’s decision, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has described as “a conspiracy” the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe against him in the post-Godhra cases.
“It is a conspiracy against me by the Congress and Kapil Sibal,” Modi said, adding, “I am ready to go to jail if so needed.”
Yesterday, the Supreme Court had ordered probe panel headed by RK Raghavan to look into the alleged role of Modi and his administration in aiding and abetting the 2002 riots.
Since 2002, it is for the first time that Modi faces a tough inquiry in the riots cases, though he has repeatedly been accused, critised and written off in India and abroad for his alleged role in the notorious carnage.
The apex court’s decision holds political importance for both BJP and Narendra Modi because it comes just 72 hours before voting begins for Lok Sabha elections in Gujrat, and that only recently Modi has been projected as future PM by some of the BJP’s senior leaders.
The apex court had issued its order on a petition filed by Jakia Nasim Ahesan, wife of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, who was killed by a mob on February 28, 2002 in Gulbarg Society in the heart of Ahmedabad.
Accusing Modi of “masterminding” the riots, Jakia has slammed police investigation in various riots cases as “a charade calculated to shield and exculpate” the chief minister, his certain cabinet colleagues, high-ranking police officials and bureaucrats.
