JUDGE ACCUSED OF SUPPORTING RIOTERS JOINS GUJARAT PROBE

In the Tehelka tapes, the accused, Babu Bajrangi, had claimed that Chief Minister Narendra Modi had arranged bail for him by placing his plea before Justice Mehta who was “our man.” He also claimed that on the instructions of Modi, Justice Mehta had granted him bail without even opening the case file. The Jan Sangharsh Manch, which represents the riot victims before the two-judge panel, threatened to boycott the proceedings if Justice Mehta takes over. Its counsel Dr. Mukul Sinha said: “How can a judge with such serious allegations against him be on the commission probing the riots?” Mehta will fill up the vacancy in the panel caused by the death of Justice K.G. Shah last month. The other member of the panel is Justice G.T. Nanavati.