SIT court chides riots witness, NGO

AHMEDABAD: The special investigation team (SIT) court hearing the

2002 Naroda Gam massacre case chided witness

and the NGO extending legal support to the victim-witnesses for addressing a letter to the court demanding quick proceedings in the case.

Special judge M K Dave issued notice to witness Yasinkhan Anwarkhan Pathan after the court received his letter pointing out long adjournments and requesting to expedite hearing in the case that is pending for nearly 17 years. Pathan cited the Supreme Court’s directions for daily hearing in this case.

The judge summoned the witness, who told the court that the letter was prepared at the office of an NGO – Citizens for Justice & Peace (CJP) — and he just put in his signature on the letter at the NGO’s office. This revelation by Pathan led the court to issue notice to CJP. An office-bearer, Rafiq Shaikh, appeared before the court on Monday.

During the hearing, the court said that the witness and the NGO should not have written the letter and approached the court through proper channel, as they have appointed an advocate for the case.

The judge also said that the court is occupied with various other matters also, sources said.

Before Pathan dashed off his letter to the court, witnesses’ advocate M A Shaikh wrote twice to the SIT and requested to ensure that the court proceedings take place on day-to-day basis as directed by the apex court. He had pointed out that hearing took place only on 45 days in 2018 as against the SC order for daily hearing.

When other witnesses came to know about the development in court on Monday, they condemned it. A witness Sharif Shaikh said, “Victim-witnesses in

Naroda Gam case

have been waiting for justice for more than 16 years. What happened in court today is unfortunate. It is court’s responsibility to ensure protection and quick justice for the riot affected?”

Eleven persons were killed on February 28, 2002 when mobs targeted a Muslim population in Naroda Gam. Eighty-four persons were put on trial in this case.