Delhi cop to probe Zahira flip-flop

Share:

Last updated on: February 16, 2005 18:48 IST

Kanwaljit Deol, joint commissioner, Delhi police, will be part of a Supreme Court committee headed by Registrar General B M Gupta to probe the veracity of the charges and counter-charges made by witness Zahira Sheikh and activist Teesta Setalvad in the Best Bakery case.

Faced with doubts created by Zahira not only about her own statements but also about Teesta's credentials, the SC had on January 10 ordered the probe to find out in four months as to who was telling the truth.

Also Read


Why did Zaheera have to lie?

Reopen Best Bakery case, says witness

Best Bakery trial: Zaheera recants

Complete coverage of the Gujarat riots


Conceding that the situation was "delicate", a Bench comprising Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice H K Sema had directed the registrar general of the apex court to take the help of a Delhi police official of the rank of inspector general and probe the basis of Zahira's statements and the affidavits filed by Teesta in the court.

The registrar general, after receiving the order, held consultation with Delhi police Commissioner K K Paul and chose Deol, official sources said.

Zahira has retracted from her statement time and again, alleging during her last turnaround that Teesta, who minted money by selling the case abroad, held her captive.

According to Teesta, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bharatiya Janata Party leaders in Vadodara. Gujarat, paid her money to change her statement.

The bakery case was the first post-Godhra riots case to be transferred for retrial to Mumbai by the Supreme Court.

Zaheera was the key witness and it was she who had moved the SC seeking a retrial outside Gujarat.

Following her petition, the SC had ordered transfer of the case to a Mumbai court and also rapped the Gujarat government regarding protection to riot witnesses.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Share: