New Delhi, October 26
The Supreme Court today vacated the stay on the delivery of judgments by the trial courts in the cases relating to the 2002 riots in Gujarat even as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) indicated that there was no evidence against Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the killing of former Congress MP Ehsan Jaffrey. The SIT had questioned Modi in two marathon sessions in March this year.

A special Bench headed by Justice DK Jain, however, clarified that the stay would continue in the case relating to the violence at the Gulberg society in which Jaffrey was a victim.

RK Raghavan, SIT chief and former CBI Director, informed the Bench that the investigation in the Gulberg society case was complete and it was found that “three individuals are involved.” The SIT had sought legal opinion, which was expected in a fortnight. However, when the Bench, which included Justices P Sathasivam and Aftab Alam, asked whether the SIT would be ready with the probe report for the next hearing in a month, Raghavan sought five weeks. Upon this, the Bench fixed December 2 for the next hearing.

Though Raghavan did not name the three individuals, those closely associated with the case said the SIT had zeroed in on former junior Home Minister Gordhan Zadaphia, former ADGP MK Tandon and former IG PB Gondia.

The apex court Bench also issued a notice to the Gujarat government on a plea by Zakia, wife of Ehsan, for transferring the trial from the present court, alleging bias by the trial Judge. A copy of the plea would be given to the SIT to get its views.