AHMEDABAD: The burning of a coach of the Sabarmati Express at Godhra in February 2002, which claimed 59 lives and triggered Gujarat-wide communal violence, was preplanned, the Nanavati inquiry panel has concluded.
The first 200-page part of the report prepared by the panel headed by Justice (retired) G.T. Nanavati, which was tabled in the assembly yesterday amid high drama, has virtually given a clean chit to Chief Minister Narendra Modi, saying there was no evidence to incriminate him or any member of his Cabinet in the ensuing violence.
As Minister of State for Home Amit Shah tabled the report on the first day of the three-day monsoon session of the assembly, it created a furor with the opposition Congress crying foul and walking out.
