Narendra Modi government's ex-minister quizzed by Nanavati panel over 2002 riots

AHMEDABAD: Former minister in the Narendra Modi government I K Jadeja was today questioned in-camera by the Nanavati Commission with regard to the 2002 Godhra train burning incident and the incidences of communal violence in the state that followed.

Jadeja, who was the Gujarat Urban Development Minister during the 2002 riots, was quizzed for over half an hour by the Commission comprising retired justices G T Nanavati and Akshay Mehta.

Jadeja is the second minister of the then Narendra Modi -led BJP government who has been questioned as witness by the Commission. The Commission had last year questioned the then Minister of State for Home Gordhan Zadafia, who has parted ways with the BJP and floated his own outfit Mahagujarat Janta Party (MJP).

"The Commission had summoned me with regard to the Godhra incident and the riots that took place after that," Jadeja told reporters after his interrogation.

"The Commission had some queries with regard to the 2002 riots and they had called me to clarify on those issues which I have done," he said.

Jadeja, who lost the Assembly elections in 2007, refused to divulge details about the questions asked, saying that the matter was sub judice.

He also declined to comment on whether he was questioned about the presence of suspended IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt in the meeting called by Modi on February 27, 2002.

Jadeja was present in the meeting, where, according to Bhatt, Modi had allegedly instructed officers to allow Hindus "to vent out their anger" during the clashes.

He was also present in the state control room during the riots along with the then State Health Minister Ashok Bhatt.

Jadeja is presently posted as executive chairman of the Swarnim Gujarat Committee and enjoys the status of a Cabinet rank minister.