IPS officer Bhatt claims BJP’s Amit Shah tried to influence him

Bhatt,in an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court last month,had claimed that he was present in the meeting called by Modi on the night of February 27,2002. He had further alleged that Modi in that meeting had instructed officers to allow Hindus “to vent out their anger” during the clashes and he wanted Muslims to be “taught a lesson”.

He is being cross-examined by the two-member commission comprising Justice (Retd) G T Nanavati and Akshay Mehta.

During his cross-examination by Central Relief Committee advocate B M Mangukia,Bhatt was asked if somebody from the Gujarat government tried to brief him before he was to appear before Special Investigation Team (SIT),appointed by Supreme Court in November 2009.

To which,Bhatt said he was approached by the then Minister of State for Home Amit Shah after he was summoned by the SIT.

Mangukia then asked “Did Shah ask you not to speak the truth about the meeting of February 27,2002,?” to which Bhatt replied in the affirmative.

However,Bhatt replied in the negative when the lawyer asked whether Shah threatened him.

Bhatt,who was DCP,State Intelligence Bureau in 2002,however refused to divulge what transpired between him and Shah in that meeting saying that he cannot state the nature of the details as the matter was under consideration of the Supreme Court,where he has filed an affidavit.

Bhatt,whois close to Modi,further said that the details of the briefing given to him by Shah have been provided to the SIT and if needed the Commission can get it from them.

Shah was arrested by the CBI in Soharabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case and later released on bail by the Gujarat High Court. The Supreme Court has asked Shah to stay out of Gujarat.