Author: Rathin Das
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: November 2, 2010
URL: http://www.dailypioneer.com/293837/Former-Teesta-aide-petitions-court-in-Naroda-Gam-case.html
A former associate of Mumbai-based activist
Teesta Setalvad has knocked the doors of a local court here after some witnesses
in the 2002 riots cases blamed him for filing false affidavits on their behalf.
Rais Khan Pathan, former city-based field
coordinator of Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), filed an application
in the special designated court on Monday seeking to be examined in the Naroda
Gam riots case following the Godhra train inferno in which 58 passengers were
burnt alive on Feb 27, 2002.
An important witness in the Naroda Gam riots,
in which 11 people were killed, Nanoomiya Malik had testified in the trial
court that Rais Khan was responsible for filing false affidavits on behalf
of some survivors and witnesses.
Rais Khan, who was removed from the CJP in
January 2008, has refuted the allegations and said the affidavits were prepared
by Teesta Setalvad in Mumbai and he only got them signed before submitting
to the courts and other investigating agencies.
The application by Rais Khan was filed under
Section 311 of Cr PC before Sessions judge SH Vora who has listed the matter
for hearing on November 22.
The Section 311 of the Cr PC empowers a court
to examine any person as witness to arrive at a just decision in the case.
In his application, Rais Khan has also mentioned
that he had earlier complained to the Police Commissioner and filed an affidavit
before the Nanavati Commission probing the Godhra train inferno and the subsequent
riots in the State.
The affidavit filed by Rais Khan in the Nanavati
Commission last month demanded that action should be taken against Teesta
Setalvad for misleading various courts and probe agencies by filing fabricated
affidavits on behalf of 2002 riot victims and survivors.
He had informed the Commission that such "false"
affidavits prepared by Setalvad with ulterior motive can lead to prosecution
of innocent persons in the ongoing trials of the post-Godhra riot cases.
