Naseem’s case to be reopened: IGP

A day after Naseem Salim Chauhan named the accused who killed her husband and brother-in-law during the post-Godhra riots in Rajkot, Special...

A day after Naseem Salim Chauhan named the accused who killed her husband and brother-in-law during the post-Godhra riots in Rajkot, Special IGP (Rajkot Range) Rajan Priydarshi said the case will be reopened. The case was closed on July 6, 2002 after the B-Division police failed to find the accused.

Priydarshi said, ‘‘I received an application on Friday, in which Naseem and her mother-in-law Roshanben named the accused and sought reopening of the case. Now that we have the names, the case will be reopened.’’

Naseem had also shot of letters to the Chief Justice of India, Rajkot City Police Commissioner and the State Home Department in this regard.

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For Roshanben, it is the end of a two-year-long struggle. ‘‘Two years ago, the police refused to register the name of the accused. Today, there is hope that the perpetrators will be put behind bars,’’ she said.

Priydarshi said reinvestigation will begin only after they are through with review of over 30 riot cases reported from Rajkot, Jamnagar and Surendranagar districts. ‘‘We will be able to take up this case only after 15-20 days. At present, a committee of three officers are reviewing cases reported from rural areas,’’ said Priydarshi.

‘‘In case, the victim is under threat from the accused, who are still at large, the police will ensure his/her security,’’ he added.

After the death of her husband Salim and brother-in-law Yunus, Naseem along with her three children shifted to Ahmedabad. Roshanben shifted to Mafatiyapara on Kuwadwa Road from their house near Lalpari Lake.