BJP welcomes SIT report on post-Godhra riot case

Varanasi, Feb 9 (ANI): Senior Leader of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Arun Jaitley has welcomed the submission of closing report by the Supreme court appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) on the 2002 post Godhra riot case, reportedly exonerating Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and his administration.

Speaking from Varanasi on Thursday, Jaitley said that following three investigations into the matter, it would now be wise to close the chapter on the issue.

"Now investigations into this riots case have happened thrice. First by the Gujarat police, second by the Supreme Court appointed committee of police officials and third by former CBI officials in the SIT. If all three are saying the same thing then it is better to put a full stop on this subject. People who want to keep this issue alive are the ones who want to play politics, nothing else," said Jaitley.

Reacting to the verdict that held the state government responsible for the destruction of religious structures during the riots, Jaitley said the order would be abided by but also expressed his surprise on it.

"In the end, whatever the courts say will be implemented. But as far as my legal and constitutional knowledge goes, government money being spent on religious structures is not correct. When we acknowledged India as a secular state, it meant the state does not interfere in religious matters," added Jaitley.

The decision came following a petition filed by the Islamic Relief Committee of Gujarat (IRCG), which sought compensation for religious structures on the same grounds as business and residential establishments.

On Wednesday, Modi's government was censured by the state's High Court for failing to provide compensation to religious places destroyed or damaged during the riots.

The Gujarat Government had argued in court that it was under no obligation to provide compensation to the damaged places of worship. (ANI)