Now SIT can question Modi as High Court rejects plea

No relief could be granted in the case as the SIT was functioning directly under the supervision of the Supreme Court, the judge said.

Mr. Maliwad pointed out that the Supreme Court’s direction to “look into” Ms. Jafri’s complaint did not automatically give the SIT powers under the Criminal Procedure Code or the Indian Penal Code to summon or question Mr. Modi and others she had named. For, no FIR was lodged in connection with the Gulberg Society massacre.

K.G. Menon, counsel for the SIT, however, said that as per the Supreme Court’s order, it was required to “find out the truth” in Ms. Jafri’s complaint and “that is exactly what the SIT is doing now.” He said the Supreme Court order gave it the authority to “take necessary steps” to find out the truth, and under the law a preliminary inquiry into the contents of the complaint was permissible.