SIT clean chit helps Narendra Modi clear a hurdle

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi did not encourage rioters to run amok after the Godhra attack, an investigation team appointed by the Supreme Court has said. The team submitted its report to the Supreme Court in a sealed envelope, but newspapers have gathered that it has given Modi a clean chit.

The Times of India reports: "Sources said the Special Investigative Team found 'no substantial incriminating evidence' against Narendra Modi who was accused by Zakia Jafri of deliberately letting the rioters run rampage. Jafri's husband, former Congress MP Ahesan Jafri, was brutally killed by a mob of rioters whom the police, allegedly, did not stop from attacking the Gulbarg Society housing complex."

Last year, the Supreme Court last year had asked the SIT, headed by former CBI director R K Raghavan, to investigate Jafri's complaint.

Modi will be grateful for the respite, as the taint of allowing rioters go on a killing spree could have ruined his national ambitions. The acquittal clears one hurdle, but he faces many more if he wants to be a national leader. He is projected by many in the party as India's future prime minister. Earlier this year, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar refused to allow Modi to campaign in his state, even though he fought elections in alliance with the BJP. In fact, Nitish Kumar even returned aid that Modi offered his state's flood victims.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi recently referred to Modi as an "evil leader" and compared him to Mao. The DNA reported: "...Rahul made some sharp remarks on Modi and said that his development is coming at the cost of a particular community. He then said the blemish of Godhra... will not fade away even if Modi does great work... He then went on to compare Modi with Chinese leader Mao Zedong."

Modi has been chief minister since 2001. He is frequently criticised for his hardline Hindu line, but faces no charges of personal corruption. Gujarat overcame economic stagnation and recorded a growth of 10 per cent soon after he took over. his troubles began in 2002, when a Muslim mob attacked Sabarmati Express and set fire to a coach, killing 59 people returning from Ayodhya. Riots broke out soon after the arson attack, and by Wikipedia's reckoning, 93 Muslims and 77 Hindus were killed by the time the government brought things under control. Modi was accused of not controlling the rioters.

Modi's official website refers to him as 'Hon'ble CM', but does not extend the 'Hon'ble' prefix to the prime minister.