Updated on Wednesday, April 09, 2008, 00:00 IST

Ahmedabad, April 09: Justice Akshay Mehta's appointment to the Nanavati Commission fuelled a controversy on Wednesday with the organisation representing the post-Godhra riots victims deciding to boycott it and demanded his removal following some allegations against the retired Gujarat High Court judge.

"Allegations were made against justice mehta in a sting operation 'Kalank' of Tehelka and a TV channel," advocate Mukul Sinha, who heads the Jan Sangharsh Manch (JSM) representing a section of the riot victims, told reporters here.

"He is the same judge whom Babu Bajrangi, the main accused of Naroda Patia case, referred to as 'apna admi' in the Tehelka tapes," Sinha said.

But Justice Mehta said he was "hurt" by the allegations which, he said, are all false.

"I don't know who Babu Bajrangi is. May be in routine course I might have granted bail to him. But I have never favoured anyone," Mehta said.

"I never knew that I would be appointed in the Nanavati Commission after my retirement in December 2007," he added.

Sinha said "whether the allegations are true or not is a different matter."

"The government should not have appointed Justice Mehta in the commission," Sinha said, adding the JSM is going to write to the state government to change its decision.

"We had also suggested names of five judges to be appointed to the panel. The government should have appointed anyone from this list," he added.

The state government yesterday appointed Justice Mehta in the commission after Justice K G Shah passed away recently.

The commission is inquiring the Godhra train carnage and the post-Godhra riot cases.

Bureau Report