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Modi gets relief, HC rejects plea for court appearance

Ahmedabad, February 1
In a reprieve for Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the Gujarat High Court today rejected a petition for summoning him to the Nanavati Commission for questioning in the 2002 post-Godhra riots. The court observed there was no substance in the plea.

A division bench of Justice Akil Kureshi and Sonia Gokani, while dismissing the application of NGO Jan Sangarsh Manch (JSM), said the Commission probing the riots has larger discretionary powers to summon witnesses. JSM's lawyer Mukul Sinha said they will approach the Supreme Court against the High Court order.

"The High Court has held that it is at the discretion of the Commission to allow or disallow cross-examination." he said.

The JSM, representing some riot victims, had approached the High Court for directing the Commission to call Modi for questioning after the Commission of Justice G T Nanavati and Justice Akshay Mehta had rejected its plea to summon him.

The BJP welcomed the court decision, saying Modi stood vindicated. — PTI