Godhra riots: enough evidence to nail Modi?

New Delhi: The trajectory of Narendra Modi's political career could well depend on this report - the Raghvan Committee findings on post Godhra riots in Gujarat does not give a clean chit to Narendra Modi but also doesn't directly indict him citing lack of evidence.Mukul Sinha, advocate of riot victims said, "There is enough evidence on the basis of which the Supreme Court can order that FIR be lodged in the case agianst the CM".The 600 page report looks at 32 questions against Narendra Modi and Gujarat government officials for their alleged complicity in Gujarat riots of 2002. It accuses Modi of watering down the seriousness of the worst riot affected areas like Gulburg Society and Naroda Patiya by saying riots were reaction to the Godhra train burning. It accuses the CM of destroying wireless records of police conversation on February 27, 2002. There are allegations levelled against Modi that he deliberately kept the state on a communal boil by taking out a Rath Yaatra in July 2002. The entire set of 71 questions that were posed to Narendra Modi by the SIT have also been published.

For the BJP, the biggest question is how did a report in a sealed envelope before the Supreme Court get leaked to the media.

BJP Spokesperson Ravi Shnakar Prasad said, "The report is with the apex court in a sealed evelope how its has been leaked to the media? The UPA is trying to divert people's attention from real issues like price rise".

Shaktisinh Gohil, LoP, Gujarat Assembly said, "There is sufficient evidence. I hope now justice will be delivered to the people of the state".

What Supreme Court decides will have ramifications both for Narendra Modi personally and for the BJP as a political party. Whether Modi is able to move out of the state politics and play a role at the national level could well be defined by courts ruling on the Raghvan Committee Report.