Ahmedabad Crime Branch (ACB) has issued a notice to former Additional DGP of Gujarat Police RB Sreekumar after it received a complaint from Yasmeen Banu Shiekh — an eyewitness of Best Bakery Case and directed him to respond within seven days.
According to the notice Yasmeen Banu claimed that Shreekumar filed three affidavits in the year 2002, 2003 and 2005 before the Nanavati Shah Commission and in first two affidavits he appreciated the Gujarat Police in containing violence post-Godhara carnage. However, in third affidavit he totally changed his statement and blamed the State Government and Gujarat police for the riots as well as torturing Yasmeen. The notice further said being a senior police officer Shreekumar changed his statement in 2005 either under the influence of social activist Teesta Setalvad, who was closely working with him or was a part of some quid pro quo.
The notice also stated that Rais Khan Pathan (who worked closely with Teesta in the past) was also summoned and his statement was recorded on July 3, 2015. According to Rais Khan’s statement Teesta Setalvad introduced him with Shreekumar at that time he was holding the post of Addl DGP, Gujarat. After the introduction, Raiskhan claimed, he along with Teesta was frequently meeting Shreekumar to take legal assistance, advice on various riot cases including the complaint filed by Zakia Jafri as well as in the Best Bakery Case.
Khan further said Shreekumar called him in the year 2010 and advised him not to work against Teesta otherwise Muslim fundamentalists would become his enemy and kill him. He also submitted CD of the whole conversation.
Notice says that “From the above conversation it is clear that you (Shreekumar) were closely working with Setalvad before and after your retirement and she has also helped you in your service matter. Further you were also aware that Ms Setalvad enjoys the support of some fundamentalists and terrorists organisation and opposition to her can prove costly to Raiskhan.”
On perusal of complaint, statement of Yasmeen Banu, Raiskhan Pathan and the documents on record; prima facie, it appears that your (Shreekumar’s) 3rd Affidavit before Nanavati Shah Commission was submitted under some influence or duress, the notice says.
“It is appreciable that despite being heavily outnumbered, police took effective and decisive action, which is evident by the fact that 2200 persons were arrested in the first few days of which 1,800 were Hindus. The police firing in the first few days resulted in the death of nearly 100 people of whom 60 were Hindus. It is evident, therefore, that the police did not hesitate to use force to suppress the communal violence,” said Shreekumar in his first affidavit.
The affidavit also stated: “Nevertheless the response of the State Government to Godhra incident was immediate and prompt. The rescue and rehabilitation efforts commenced instantaneously. The Chief Minister, senior Ministers and other officials visited the scene.”
Sreekumar blamed print media, particularly the vernacular press, for publishing news grossly in irresponsible manner and said this factor had played a decisive role in keeping up communal tension. The former cop in his second affidavit in October 2004 stated almost similarly.
However in his third affidavit which was filed in April 2005, completely changed his statement and blamed the State Government, political leaders and Gujarat police for communal riots and even for his harassment and victimization.