Municipal councillor Bipin Patel & ex-councillor Chunilal Prajapati arrested

Former second inspector of the Naroda police station, VS Gohil surrendered before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Wednesday. The move came after metropolitan magistrate GM Patel rejected an application submitted by him, saying he wanted to surrender before court.

In his application, he said Gohil had reported an excellent performance as a police official, that he had not gone absconding, but had been on sick leave, and that his mobile phone had been switched off since February 6. Gohil further submitted that he had filed the application fearing he would be declared an absconder.

The SIT had earlier submitted an application seeking that a warrant be issued for Gohil under section 70 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, on grounds that he had been absconding as the SIT had been unable to locate him even at his native village and that his mobile phone had been switched off.

Gohil, currently posted at Mangrol as circle police inspector, has been accused of dereliction of duty during the 2002 post-Godhra riots at Naroda. The SIT had earlier summoned him and recorded his statements. However, Gohil could not be traced for many days. A source said he had been charged under the same sections as deputy superintendent of police, KK Mysorewala.

A source close to the development said SIT officials had begun recording Gohil's statements, and will continue on Thursday as well. Meanwhile, sitting municipal councillor from the BJP, Bipin Patel, and former municipal councillor from the BJP, Chunilal Prajapati, were arrested by the SIT for their alleged involvement in the Gulberg massacre case, on Wednesday. A source close to the development said the SIT will demand their remand in court on Thursday.

As many as 11 people had been butchered to death at Naroda Gaam on February 28, 2002, during the communal riots that broke out after the VHP had called for a state-wide shutdown; while 83 people were killed at Naroda Patia on the same day.

VS Gohil, currently posted at Mangrol as circle police inspector, has been accused of dereliction of duty during the 2002 post-Godhra riots at Naroda. The SIT had earlier summoned him and recorded his statements. However, Gohil could not be traced for many days. In his application, he said he had not gone absconding, but had been on sick leave

DNA Correspondent/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication