In a breather for Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the Gujarat High Court on Wednesday rejected a petition seeking his deposition before the Nanavati-Mehta commission probing the 2002 communal riots in the state.
"Narendra Modi does not need to depose before the commission," the high court said in its ruling on the petition of NGO Jan Sangharsh Manch that is representing the riot victims.
The petition was filed after the Commission rejected its application seeking Modi's deposition.
The NGO said it will now move the Supreme Court.
"We will move the apex court on this issue. The state government had itself asked the Commission to inquire into Modi's role in the riots. It is only proper that Modi should have deposed before the Commission," said lawyer and activist, Mukul Sinha, who filed the petition.