Ex-judge's probe holds govt and police responsible for K'taka attacks

An independent inquiry into the 2008 church attacks in Karnataka has held the state government and police responsible for the assault on Christians and vandalism of churches.

Former Karnataka High Court judge MF Saldanha said every attack and incident which took place were "instigated and pre-planned."

In his 308-page report, Justice Saldanha accused the chief minister and the then home minister for abetting and facilitating atrocities on the Christian community.

Justice Saldanha said the Bajrang Dal leader and the leader of the Sri Rama Sene had openly admitted to the crimes and even conceded that the government had backed the attacks.

The report comes in stark contrast to a government-appointed panel that last month absolved the BJP and Sangh Parivar of all blame.

Justice Saldanha told a press conference that the probe had not done justice and there was a need for "free, frank and unbiased inquiry".

"The attacks that took place were well planned, pre meditated and executed with precision as I found out to my distress when I conducted this enquiry," said Justice Saldanha.

"What was very significant was the fact that wherever this took place, the police protection was zero vis-à-vis the victims though they were providing the leadership and cover to the attackers. In the immediate aftermath it was the police who were the main assailants, aided and abetted by the saffron political activists," he observed.

He continued: "The culpability and liability of the state government, the politicians who are involved, the government machinery and the Bajrang Dal, Ram Sene and the RSS is joint and several and no distinction can be made because there was 100% collusion at all times."

"This had resulted in a total breakdown of the law and order situation and in a deliberate breach of the Constitutional mandate that guarantees rights to the minorities and more so, complete infringements of the Human Rights Law."

On conversions, Justice Saldanha said he examined the allegation thread-bare and found it to be downright false.

"I have also investigated very thoroughly as to whether any foreign funds have been received and channelised for any unlawful or anti-social purpose and the answer is that there is not only zero evidence but that there is also no ground for suspicion as far as this is concerned," he informed.

Justice Michael Saldanha visited over 400 places and examined almost 3000 witnesses, besides relying on forensic evidence and media reports to draw his conclusions.

Church leaders this week organised two rallies opposing the report of Justice Somasekhara Commission and calling for a CBI probe into the attacks.

Somasekhara, also a former judge, after 28 months and 9 extensions came out with a report that gave a clean chit to the government and fanatic groups.

The Church rejected the report which it said was "one-sided, totally unjust and biased".