The Supreme Court yesterday slammed the government of Gujarat, saying it had no faith that the western Indian state would bring Hindu rioters to book for bloodletting in communal riots last year.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice V.N. Khare hit out at the Gujarat government of Chief Minister Narendra Modi, saying its legal actions against those involved in the killings was an "eyewash."
"What is the duty of government? You quit if you cannot prosecute the guilty. Democracy does not mean you will not prosecute anyone," said the court.
The Supreme Court was hearing a joint petition filed by India's autonomous National Human Rights Commission and 17-year-old Zaheera Sheikh to reopen the trial of 21 people acquitted for the deadly torching of a bakery in Gujarat.
The court again ordered Gujarat's Hindu nationalist-led government to extend full protection to Sheikh, who has fled the state as she seeks justice for her father and 11 workers who were burned to death in the Best Bakery.
It also ordered Gujarat state's chief secretary and director general of police to appear before it on Sept. 19.
RSS