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Sister-in-law contradicts Zaheera's claim

Sister-in-law contradicts Zaheera's claim

Author: Nilesh Thakkar
Publication: NDTV.com
Date: September 20, 2003
URL: http://www.ndtv.com/template/template.asp?template=Gujaratviolence&slug=Sister%2Din%2Dlaw+contradicts+Zaheera%92s+claim&id=42785&callid=1

While the Best Bakery in Vadodara undergoes renovation, a relative of one of the key witnesses has added another twist to the case. Yasmin Sheikh, who has taken up the renovation of the bakery, is Zaheera's sister in law.

Yasmin has alleged that Zaheera and her mother had been bought over saying she has another version of what happened at the Best Bakery when 14 people were burnt alive in the riots in March last year.

Yasmin claimed that despite being a witness herself, she was not allowed to speak because Zaheera and her mother wanted to cash in on the controversial case.

"I want to tell the truth. My mother-in-law did not get my name mentioned on the FIR. All these names are false. This was done as they were greedy for money," Yasmin said.

The makeover for the bakery comes at a time when the Gujarat government has come under scathing criticism from the Supreme Court.

Zaheera's version

The version presented by Yasmin is in complete contradiction to what Zaheera had deposed at a public press conference a month ago.

Zaheera had accused a local BJP MLA, Madhu Srivastava, and his brother, Chandrakant Bhattu from the Congress party, of forcing her into changing her original statement in court.

The sudden change in statement had led to the collapse of the case and the acquittal of all 21 accused by a Vadodara sessions court.

Yasmin's claim

However, Yasmin's statements also reflect a distinct political line wherein she voiced her support for the local politicians and residents of the Best Bakery area.

"Chandrakant Bhattu saved our lives. When we were attacked, it was he who called the police and told them what was happening," Yasmin said.

The contrasting version is likely to raise more questions over a possible political cover up in one of Gujarat's most gruesome riot cases.
 


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