Godhra: Depositions put cops on hot seat

Like in Nadiad, the two-member riot commission almost drew a blank on the first day of its hearing in Godhra on Monday. But for six depositi...

Like in Nadiad, the two-member riot commission almost drew a blank on the first day of its hearing in Godhra on Monday. But for six depositions from areas that witnessed minor rioting, no riot-hit from villages in Central Gujarat that saw worst massacres turned up.

But even the six depositions made the police officials rummage through files as justices G.T. Nanavati and K.G. Shah put uncomfortable questions to them. The panel had enough time to give a patient hearing and listen to their grievances against police. One victim said he was too scared to go to the police station and the remaining five accused cops of unfair investigation.

Hussainbhai Bhimla had come all the way from Chhotaudepur of Vadodara district to vent his anger at the police harassment while following up the alleged murder of his uncle in Navanagar area on the outskirts of Godhra on March 4. He alleged that despite repeated pleas, police had not made an effective search for his uncle’s body and he still continued to be missing in official records.

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‘‘We have tried to follow up the case but have failed to get a proper reply from police. In fact, we are scared of going to police,’’ he said. When the commission members sought a clarification from police, they were told that the case details will have to be obtained from the police station concerned. Though the cops escaped with minor reprimand in this case, more was to follow when Hussain Moosabhai Sheikh from Godhra taluka made his submission. Hussain alleged that despite having revealed the names of the accused who had looted and burnt his house in the village, only two had been arrested. Then Inspector (Halol) J.J. Desai, when quizzed on the slow progress, chose to defend himself stating that two of the accused had already been arrested.

‘‘Even after a year of the incident, six accused are at large. The complainant says that the accused are moving around freely in the village and you are saying they are absconding. What kind of investigation is this?’’ Justice Nanavati asked.

More was yet to come for the cops, when Tua villager Asif Hussain alleged that despite a loot complaint, the accused were still at large. The cops justified that the magistrate was yet to issue a warrant declaring the accused as absconders. ‘‘But how does it prevent you (cops) from arresting the accused. Don’t make excuses for not arresting the absconders,’’ Justice Nanavati observed.

Others who deposed before the commission include Feroz Ali from Reechvan of Ghogamba taluka and Haji Abdul Rehman from Akola village. Both accused the police of inaction.

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Justice Nanavati said low turnout at the public hearings outside Ahmedabad would not affect the commission’s work. He said the riot-hit had already submitted affidavits in Ahmedabad and the purpose of holding the hearing in district headquarters was to enable those who could come to Ahmedabad to depose.

Meanwhile, no one from Pandarwada and Delol turned up to depose. As many as 27 people were slaughtered in Pandarwada while 37 Delol villagers were slain in three separate incidents.