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Maya Kodnani sent to 24-hr police custody

April 04, 2009 17:13 IST
A local court in Ahmedabad on Saturday sent former Gujarat minister Maya Kodnani accused in 2002 riot cases to 24-hour police custody and remanded co-accused former Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Jaydeep Patel to judicial custody.

Kodnani, accused in the Naroda Gam and Naroda Patiya case, and Patel, also accused in Naroda Gam case, were produced before the Metropolitan Magistrate G M Patel after their police custody ended on Saturday.

The Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team probing the cases submitted before the court that they needed custody of Kodnani in the Naroda Patiya case. The court sent Kodnani to 24-hour police custody in Naroda Patiya case. SIT is likely to ask for her further remand on Sunday.

After the court order, when the two accused were being escorted to police vehicle, Kodnani categorically named Minister for Science and Technology Kapil Sibal and social activist Teesta Setalvad behind the formation of SIT.

"This is a conspiracy to stop the progress of Gujarat. To tarnish the image of Gujarat Kapil Sibal and Teesta Setalvad had orchestrated the formation of SIT," Kodnani alleged after coming out of court.

"Ahmed Patel (Congress leader) is also involved in giving a bad name to Gujarat," Kodnani said after she was prompted by Jaydeep Patel who was standing beside her.

Patel, who is not accused in the Naroda Patiya case, was sent to judicial custody by the court. However, he filed an application in the court contending that there was threat to him from a Prevention of Terrorism Act accused in the Central Jail where he would be lodged.

Patel further requested that he should be kept in isolation in the jail. The court acknowledged his security concerns and said that it could only direct the jail authorities to make proper security arrangements.

The court said that Patel's request for isolation cannot be entertained as security is to be looked in to by the jail officials. Kodnani and Patel were in SIT custody from March 28.

After the Gujarat high court cancelled the duo's anticipatory bail last month, Kodnani who was minister of state for women and child development and higher education in the Narendra Modi government, had resigned and surrendered before SIT, along with Patel.

They are accused of leading the mob which killed more than 106 people in Naroda Patia and Naroda Gam villages post the incident of burning of S-6 coach of Sabarmati Express carrying mostly Kar Sevaks near the Godhra railway station in February 2002.

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