Ahmedabad: A minority community riot witness on September 30 alleged to the probe panel that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporator Maya Kodnani, Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi and others had led Hindu mobs that were on rampage in Naroda Patiya area on February 28 during the post- Godhra communal violence.

Deposing before the two-man commission, comprising Justice (retired) G T Nanavati and Justice (retired) K G Shah, the victim Faridabano Abdul Kadar said that she saw Kodnani, Bajrangi and two others identified as Kishan Korani and Bipin Autowala leading armed mobs that had indulged in arson and beating up of people till police arrived and dispersed them.

"Towards evening, another mob came from surrounding areas and burnt to death people of Hussainnagar and also raped several women," she said.

Even personnel of the State Reserve Police (SRP), posted nearby, refused to help and drove people away, she added.

During cross-examination by government pleader, she also said that crime branch police had taken her statement about the incident on May 12, 2002, but did not name the BJP leader and others even though she had specifically named them.

PTI