Ahmedabad: Deposing before the Nanavati Commission probing the post-Godhra communal riots, a victim on July 17 alleged that former Gujarat Minister Haren Pandya was part of the mob outside his residence in Paldi on February 28 during the riots in 2002.

"It was his (Pandya's) presence, which "instigated the rioters even more", the victim Dr Yunus Mohammed Usman Bhavnagari, a dentist staying at the Paldi area, told the commission members Justice (retired) G T Nanavati and Justice (retired) K G Shah.

He also said he was "forced" to open fire at the rampaging mob, which shot his son Dr Amir Bhavnagari in the chest from outside his house.

Several policemen were also present in the mob, he said.

The doctor's wife, son and other relatives also told the commission that even their house in Delite Flats in Paldi was set ablaze by the errant mob, which also torched few shops and other flats.

"Since then, we have never returned to our old home as we still fear for our life and were threatened not to come back," the doctor told the Commission.

The Commission on July 16 began recording the statements of riot victims and witnesses of Ahmedabad that witnessed maximum killings in the post-Godhra communal carnage of 2002.

PTI