Former Director General of Gujarat Police K Chakravarthy on Monday admitted that neither did his junior officers take his permission before invoking POTA in the Sabarmati Express carnage case nor was he consulted by the Gujarat government on the transfers of 27 senior IPS officers that followed the post-Godhra communal flare-up in the State.
Deposing before the Justice G T Nanavati and Justice K G Shah inquiry commission, the former DGP, who retired on January 31, 2004, stated, “I was not consulted on POTA nor did I suggest that POTA should be invoked in the riot cases, it is the investigating officer and his immediate superior who decided to impose POTA.”
Chakravarthy, who has filed two affidavits before the two-member inquiry panel probing the Godhra carnage and its aftermath, admitted that during his tenure he had not personally supervised the investigations of the riot cases but had issued several directives to hasten the pace of investigations.
The retired senior police officer admitted that he was not consulted before the transfers of IPS officials by the State Government. “I objected to the transfers as I felt these would affect the continuity of investigations in the riot cases.” On March 23, 2002, the Home Ministry transferred 27 IPS officers which included officers who had controlled communal flare-ups efficiently such as Rahul Sharma, the former SP of Bhavnagar.
Lapses of the state and Central Intelligence Bureau were also brought to light by the retired DGP who stated that the Intelligence Bureau (IB) had no information about the kar sevaks return from Ayodhya and there was no communication between the Gujarat police and the Uttar Pradesh intelligence on this issue.
Chakravarthy added that the IB had no prior information about the Akshardham temple attack as well.
About the meeting called by Chief Minister Narendra Modi on February 27, 2002, the retired DGP said, “Godhra was discussed at the meeting and it was decided that officers from the CID should be sent to investigate the case. Handing it over to CBI was ruled out as it was observed that the Gujarat police is competent to handle the case and the availability of Army personnel was checked.”
The former DGP during his cross-examination stated that on February 28, 2002, he had ordered his junior officers across the state to mobilise forces, monitor communally sensitive areas and even ensure that all minor cases are supervised as a backlash of the train carnage was expected.
However, the officer failed to answer to queries as to why his orders were not taken seriously and why he was not kept updated about the situation.
The officer said, “I was informed about the Naroda-Patiya carnage by the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner on the night of February 28. Until then, he was unaware that people were being set ablaze.”
The officer said he was clueless as to why the investigating officer for the S-6 carnage case K C Bawa was replaced by Noel Parmar within two months of his taking charge.
Admitting that he had received a letter from the then additional Director General of Police (Intelligence) R B Sreekumar which pointed out glaring lapses of the Gujarat police in the investigation of riot cases, Chakravarthy said, “It (the letter) was the perception of the State Intelligence Bureau.”
The officer admitted that on February 28, 2002, the former Urban Development Minister I K Jadeja had come to his office and stayed with him for 15 to 20 minutes. However, he said he was unaware of the fact that the ruling party had supported the bandh call given by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad.
The officer said that an order dated March 23, 2003 which stated that the DGP should take over the Ahmedabad Commissionerate by the state government was “extraordinary”, but he was not aware why this decision was taken.
Justifying the role of the Gujarat police during the carnage, Chakravarthy said the situation was chaotic and it was difficult to control the mob. He also blamed the electronic media and newspapers for inciting the masses.
“Senior police officers had written to me complaining about false and inflammatory reports published by newspapers. I forwarded these letters to the home ministry,” stated the former DGP.
Pande to depose today
THE Justice G T Nanavati and Justice K G Shah inquiry commission will continue the cross-examination of former DGP K Chakravarthy on Tuesday and also record the statements of former Ahmedabad Police Commissioner P C Pande. Pande is currently on deputation to the CBI.