22, Aug 2015

Ahmedabad Crime Branch (ACB) has issued a notice to former Additional DGP of Gujarat Police RB Sreekumar after it received a complaint from Yasmeen Banu Shiekh — an eyewitness of Best Bakery Case and directed him to respond within seven days.
According to the notice Yasmeen Banu claimed that Shreekumar filed three affidavits in the year 2002, 2003 and 2005 before the Nanavati Shah Commission and in first two affidavits he appreciated the Gujarat Police in containing violence post-Godhara carnage. However, in third affidavit he totally changed his statement and blamed the State Government and Gujarat police for the riots as well as torturing Yasmeen. The notice further said being a senior police officer Shreekumar changed his statement in 2005 either under the influence of social activist Teesta Setalvad, who was closely working with him or was a part of some quid pro quo.
The notice also stated that Rais Khan Pathan (who worked closely with Teesta in the past) was also summoned and his statement was recorded on July 3, 2015. According to Rais Khan’s statement Teesta Setalvad introduced him with Shreekumar at that time he was holding the post of Addl DGP, Gujarat. After the introduction, Raiskhan claimed, he along with Teesta was frequently meeting Shreekumar to take legal assistance, advice on various riot cases including the complaint filed by Zakia Jafri as well as in the Best Bakery Case.