BJP hails Supreme Court's decision in Gujarat riots case

New Delhi, Sep.12 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has welcomed Monday's Supreme Court's decision to direct a Gujarat trial court to examine the alleged role of Chief Minister Narendra Modi and other officials during the 2002 communal riots in the state.

BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said: "The Supreme Court's decision is very important and I feel that the decision taken has been made under the law. People who are anti-Modi can be disappointed with the decision but justice can only function under law. And that is why the Supreme Court's judgment is viewed as logical under law."

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court today refused to pass any order on the petition alleging inaction on the part of Modi to contain the 2002 riots after the Godhra carnage.

The bench presided by Justice D K Jain, Justice P Sathasivam and Justice Aftab Alam noted that in case the magistrate decides to drop proceedings against Modi and others, he has to hear the plea of slain MP Ehsan Jafri's widow Zakia Jafri, who had filed a complaint against the Gujarat Chief Minister.

A Gujarat trial court would monitor both the reports of SIT (Special Investigation Team) and the amicus curae, which incidentally differs from the observations of the SIT.

"For the last ten years, some forces are purposely trying to taint Narendra Modi and his government. But, every time they have failed and today's judgment is also a jolt to them," added Javadekar.

In 2008, Zakia Jafri, widow of Ehsan Jafri had knocked at the doors of the apex court alleging that Modi and other politicians ensured that the riot victims did not receive any kind of help.

In February 2002, a rioting mob, allegedly affiliated to right-wing Hindu groups, attacked the Gulbarg society in Ahmedabad, killing 69 people, including Ehsan Jafri, who was set ablaze in his own house.

Meanwhile, India's ruling Congress party also termed the Supreme Court's judgment as one that is in tune with the law and hoped the trial court would hasten in complying with the apex court's directive.

"We should all respect the judgment of the Supreme Court and I should also say that the court has not given any clean chit to Narendra Modi and they have sent the report to the lower court and the lower court will look into it and then give its suggestions," said Rashid Alvi, Congress party spokesperson.

The Congress leader also said that justice would prevail sooner or later and quipped to say the crimes committed by Narendra Modi can't be eclipsed or washed away.

"Definitely justice should be given and I hope that they will get justice. It is difficult to wipe or remove the taint from Modi's forehead," added Alvi.

The Supreme Court, in April 2009, ordered a probe by the federal investigation agency, the CBI, into the alleged inaction by law enforcing authorities, including the state chief, which led to the massacre.

The riots took place after a train with Hindu devotees was set on fire in Godhra Railway Station, which had set off some of the country's worst communal riots since independence in 1947.

The Sabarmati Express was carrying Hindu devotees returning from the site of the Babri mosque in Ayodhya. More than 2,500 people, mostly Muslims, were killed in the subsequent riots in Gujarat.

Critics say Modi and his party, the BJP, which rules Gujarat, did little to stop the violent aftermath of Godhra incident. (ANI)