This Article is From Oct 05, 2011

We are not behind the surveillance on Haren Pandya's wife, says Gujarat Health Minister

We are not behind the surveillance on Haren Pandya's wife, says Gujarat Health Minister
Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government said that surveillance at the residence of slain former minister Haren Pandya's wife was not done at its behest, a day after she alleged spying and invasion of her privacy.

"The state government has no hand in surveillance at the residence of Jagrutiben Pandya," government spokesperson and Gujarat Health Minister Jaynarayan Vyas told reporters here.

"This might have taken place under the regular administrative process of police," he said.

Jagruti had yesterday sent legal notices to the state home minister, DGP and city police commissioner for allegedly spying on her and invading her privacy. Incidentally Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi also holds the Home portfolio.

The Gujarat High Court had on August 29 dropped charges of murder against 12 people convicted for assassination of Pandya, while upholding the charges of criminal conspiracy and terrorism under POTA against them awarded by the trial court.

Pandya, a former minister of state for home in the BJP government, who was once close to Modi, but later developed differences, was shot dead on March 26, 2003 near the Law Garden area of Ahmedabad when he was out for a morning walk.

The CBI had probed the case, and according to them Pandya was murdered to avenge the 2002 communal riots. 12 persons were convicted in the case by a trial court in 2007.

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