Modi 'cleared' over Gujarat riots

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A commission set up by the government in the western Indian state of Gujarat has exonerated Chief Minister Narendra Modi over religious riots in 2002.

It said there was no evidence that he, his ministers or police were at fault. Gujarat's authorities were criticised for not doing enough to stop the riots.

At least 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed. Violence began after about 60 Hindus died in a fire on a train.

The commission's conclusions differ from those of an earlier inquiry.

'No evidence'

The incident which triggered the riots was the train fire, which occurred in the town of Godhra. It was allegedly started by a Muslim mob.

Justice GT Nanavati concluded in his report, which was presented in the state assembly on Thursday, that the train had been set on fire.

But the report said: "There is absolutely no evidence to show that either the chief minister or any of the ministers in his council or police officers played any role in the Godhra incident."

It concluded that there was also no evidence against him for the outbreak of the riots after the attack, and nothing to suggest that he and his administration did not provide relief and rehabilitation to riot victims.

The commission examined more than 1,000 witnesses during a six-year period.

It found that 140 litres of petrol had been purchased as the part of what it said had been a conspiracy to burn the train carriage.

Relief

The report's findings contradict an earlier inquiry by retired Supreme Court judge Umesh Chandra Banerjee, who found that the coach fire was not deliberately started.

He concluded in 2005 that the fire began by accident. He said there was evidence to suggest the blaze began inside the train, not that it was fire-bombed.

Most accounts from the time and since said a Muslim mob threw petrol bombs at the train, starting the blaze which in turn triggered the riots.

Correspondents say that the findings of the two-member inquiry will be a relief to Mr Modi, who has been accused of failing to halt some of the worst religious violence India has ever seen.

His opponents say he indirectly egged on Hindu mobs who are believed to have led most of the attacks.

But his supporters say he could have done little under the circumstances to prevent the violence.