SIT expresses inability to investigate Ishrat case

‘Already engaged with investigations into 9 massacres during the 2002 communal riots'

The Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team, headed by the former CBI Director, R. K. Raghavan, has expressed its inability to take up investigation into the Ishrat Jahan case as directed by the Gujarat High Court.

The SIT told the High Court on Friday that it was engaged with investigations into nine gruesome incidents of massacres during the 2002 communal riots in the State, as entrusted by the apex court, and would not be able to take up the Ishrat Jahan case.

Following the SIT's clarification, the High Court adjourned the hearing in the case till September 9, with the Supreme Court still seized with the matter. A Division Bench of Justices Jayant Patel and Abhilasha Kumari, which had directed the SIT to take up the investigation of the case, on August 23 allowed the Advocate-General to verify and bring on record by August 31 whether the SIT was “inclined” to take up the Ishrat probe.

The Supreme Court, which had expressed surprise over the High Court giving new tasks to the team appointed by it, on August 27, restrained the State government from entrusting the Ishrat case to the SIT.