Nanavati gives clean chit to Narendra Modi

The Narendra Modi government got a clean chit in the 2002 Godhra train carnage. The Nanavati report says the burning of the Sabarmati Express was a pre-planned conspiracy hatched by locals.

The Nanavati Commission which was set up to probe the burning of S-6 coach of the Sabarmati Express and post Godhra riots has concluded that it was not an accident but a conspiracy. It has stated that there was no involvement of Modi or his any minister or officer in the post Godhra riots. On the contrary the state government had provided protection and relief to the affected people. There was no flaw in the implementation of the human rights commission laws, the report claims.

The report was tabled in the State Assembly today amidst protest from the opposition Congress which staged a walk out. The report states that there was heavy stone throwing for 10 to 20 minutes at the S-6 and S-7 coaches preventing people to come out.

One Hasan Lalu had thrown burning rags at the coaches which led to the fire in which 56 people were killed. According to the report, Molvi Umarji planned the entire conspiracy. The plan was given shape at the Aman guest house where all of them stayed the whole night.

Two people- Razak Kurkur and Salim Panwala purchased 140 litres of petrol on February 26, 2002 and took them in containers. Doors of S-6 and S-7 bogey of the Sabarmati Express were forcibly opened and Hassan Lalu threw objects which were burning inside the bogey, the report added.

Besides these Shaukat Lalu, Imran Sheri, Rafiq, Salim Zarda, Zabeer and Siraj Bala were involved in the burning of the train, the report says.

The two member inquiry commission was set up by the state government in 2002. After six years it has submitted its report. During the course one of the members Justice K G Shah expired and the government appointed retired Justice Akshay Mehta.