The hearing of the SLP(Crl.) No.1088 of 2008 filed by Mrs. Zakia Ahesan Jaffrey, on the alleged complaint against the Gujarat Chief Minister and 62 others came up for hearing today.

The Hon’ble Supreme Court, while taking up the further Report of the SIT submitted to the Court on 25th April 2011, observed that the Report has been submitted by the SIT as directed by the Court which may be handed over to the Amicus Curiae. The Supreme Court desired that the Amicus Curiae to examine the Report and submit his opinion with specific suggestions.

It may be mentioned that the belated complaint of Mrs. Zakia Jaffrey, filed after four and a half year of the incidents of riots is an omnibus complaint which makes allegation of very generalised and vague nature covering incidents of post Godhra riots in Gujarat. This complains is not for the incident of Gulberg society in which the complainant Mrs. Zakia Jaffrey is affected. It is learnt that Mrs. Jaffrey has already deposed before the Fast Track Court on the Gulberg Society case.

Today the Supreme Court was categorical in declining the demand of the petitioner’s Counsel Mr. Shanti Bhusan to provide a copy of the SIT report. The Amicus Curiae made an observation about unsolicited receipt of an affidavit of Shri Sanjiv Bhatt by him and the Registry of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court declined to take the said affidavit of Shri Sanjiv Bhatt on record. The Supreme Court observed that the Amicus Curiae may consider the Report and if he thinks fit he may take assistance of any witness whose statement has been recorded by the SIT.

To the issue of providing security cover to Shri Bhatt, the Chairman of the SIT submitted that on receipt of application from Shri Bhatt, he had taken up with the Chief Secretary and the concerned department and adequate security as required has been provided to Shri Sanjiv Bhatt and he is satisfied with the response of the state government.

It is learnt that Shri Sanjiv Bhatt has not joined the place of posting at Junagadh SRP training school. In spite of repeated directions by the DGP Gujarat to resume duties he his neglecting his responsibilities. He had brought the orderlies and vehicle from the School illegally and misusing resources of the school. He is reported to be in the habit of misusing resources by keeping more staff at his residence beyond sanctioned strength earlier also for which he had been issued Show cause notices.

The Supreme Court has kept the next hearing on 28th July 2011.

Also read:
Sanjiv Bhatt episode: On the trail of truth behind the hype
“Too junior IPS Sanjiv Bhatt was not present at all in that meeting”