Why plea to remove Jha,Johri: Jafri named him,she is accused of inaction

Praying for reconstitution of the Special Investigation Team which is probing the 2002 Gujarat riots,the petitioner...

Praying for reconstitution of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) which is probing the 2002 Gujarat riots,the petitioner,Citizens for Justice and Peace,has spelled out reasons why they are demanding removal of Shivanand Jha,now the Surat Police Commissioner,and Geetha Johri,now the Rajkot Police Commissioner,from the team.

Shivanand Jha: The petitioner has stated that a senior police officer of Jhas rank should have recused himself from the SIT since his name has been mentioned as one of the accused. Jha figures among the 63 persons named as accused by Zakia Jafri,widow of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri who was killed during the Gulberg Society massacre,in her petition before the Supreme Court.

Questioning independent judgement of Jha,the petitioner also stated that he had deposed before the Nanavati Commission and supported the state,and also worked for around three years as Home Secretary of Gujarat. Jha had consistently taken an approach that investigation of the riot cases should not be handed over to the CBI,the petitioner added.

Geetha Johri: The petitioner wants her dropped from the SIT as the SC had itself indicted her for her inaction and complacence in the Sohrabuddin Shaikh fake encounter case after another IPS officer,Rajnish Rai,arrested three senior police officers in the case and the investigation was handed over to her.

The petitioner has also highlighted the fact that the state government gave Johri an alternative plot of land,measuring 330 square metres in Gandhinagar by waiving the premium amount that had to be mandatorily paid.

Given this fact and the corruption charges against her (Johri) husband which could put her in an awkward position, do render her independent judgement and zeal to further inquire into the matter,as is required,questionable, the petition says.

Johri has already conveyed her desire to the SC to resign from the SIT owing to various allegations levelled against her.