AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday took strong exception to the submission of the final report on the Godhra train carnage by the Justice UC Banerjee Commission to the railway ministry at a time when the court was still hearing a petition challenging the very existence of the commission. Justice MR Shah of the Gujarat HC also stayed implementation and publicising of the report till final disposal of the petition.

Using strong language in an interim order, Justice Shah said: “The commission has tried to over-reach the process of the court and it is obvious that an attempt is made to nullify the present proceedings.” The commission’s final report submitted last week had described the burning of the Sabarmati Express at Godhra on February 27, 2002, as an accident.

The HC said: “The constitution of the committee itself is under challenge and ultimately at the time of final hearing if this court finds that the committee could not have been constituted and is without jurisdiction and/or against the law, then all the further proceedings and even the report can be declared nullity and can be set aside.”—By arrangement with The Times of India