Cop still unaware of ‘missing’ Godhra witness’ whereabouts

Elsewhere,Panchmahals Superintendent of Police

J R Mothaliya refused to comment on the issue,saying,“I am part of the Special Investigation Team”.

Mullah has accused Mothaliya and one inspector

by the name of Raoul — in his application to the Supreme Court against

the SIT — of illegally arresting him on February 16.

He said the SIT tortured him to change his previous statements to the designated fast-track court.

Mullah,who led a hand-to-mouth existence all these years in Godhra doing odd-jobs of conductor and tea-vendor,said he was scared to come to Gujarat.

“I have three children —the eldest one is just 11-year-old. My wife,Rehana is worried about the entire episode. Since 2002,from the day I have been forced to become an eyewitness,I have not been able to work properly,” he said.

He said after escaping from the Shehra Government Guest House,he could not go to his house or inform his wife that he was in Godhra till he faxed the application to the Supreme Court that his life was in danger.

“Mullah begged Rs 10 from a schoolboy and then Rs 50 from passers-by,who gave him Rs 30 to fax a handwritten note to the judge,” Mullah’s counsel Jyoti Mendiratta told the apex court.