Fully satisfied with questioning of Narendra Modi, says SIT chief

Chairman of the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT), R.K. Raghavan, said on Sunday that the SIT was “fully satisfied” with the questioning of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Talking to journalists, Mr. Raghavan, who himself was not present during Mr Modi's questioning, said if necessary Mr. Modi could be called again. “But that is only if some major gaps have remained in his answers for which he can be called again for further clarity,” he said, hinting that new issues are unlikely to be raised by the SIT with him.

The SIT chairman said the practice was the same for all witnesses and not special for Mr. Modi. He said he could decide on calling Mr. Modi again only after studying the details of the questioning.

He said the SIT would now examine the evidence, study the reports and submit it to the Supreme Court. He said he was hopeful that the SIT would be able to keep the April 30 deadline for submitting its report to the Supreme Court.

He declined to comment on filing of an FIR against Mr. Modi as demanded by many activists and voluntary organisations.

The SIT's job was to “present our findings to the Supreme Court and then await its directions,” he said.

Without naming anyone, Mr. Raghavan regretted that “some people” were targeting the SIT. “It is very hurting,” he said and claimed that the SIT was performing its assigned tasks “dutifully and honestly.” He apparently was hinting at the Citizens for Justice and Peace general secretary, Teesta Setalvad, and some other voluntary organisations, for expressing doubts about the SIT's style of functioning, particularly when Mr. Modi had not been questioned. Ms Setalvad had even filed a petition in the Supreme Court demanding reconstitution of the SIT.