SIT chief probing 2002 riots claims 'Modi did not take a cup of tea in 9-hour interrogation'

New Delhi: The SIT of the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi conducted a 9-hour marathon interrogation while investigating the riots in Gujarat. During this time he was asked about 100 questions and he did not refrain from answering any questions. Not only that, during the marathon interrogation, Modi did not even drink tea from the interrogator i.e. SIT. RK Raghav, who led the investigation team at the time, has made this claim in his new book.

Narendra Modi mentioned in autobiography

Former CBI director Raghav wrote in his autobiography 'A Road Well Traveled' that Modi immediately agreed to come to the SIT office in Gandhinagar for questioning. They brought a bottle of water with them.

Raghavan, who has handled several high profile cases

, was set up by the Supreme Court to probe the 2002 Gujarat riots. Which was led by Raghavan. He had earlier worked as a director of the CBI. Apart from the Gujarat riots, he was involved in the investigation of several high-profile cases. These include the Bofors scandal, the 2000 South Africa cricket match-fixing case and the fodder scandal.

The former official claimed in the book that

when the then CM of Gujarat was summoned by the SIT for questioning, Raghav wrote in his book, "We sent a message to his staff that they have to come to the SIT office in person and if the meeting is held elsewhere." It can be misunderstood that favors are being made. '

"He (Modi) understood the spirit of our attitude and immediately agreed to come to the SIT office in the government complex in Gandhinagar," Raghav wrote. Former police officer said that he was an "unusual step" pay SIT member Ashok Malhotra inquiries may take so no sodebajino 'charges between them and Modi said.

Ran 9 hour marathon questioning,

Raghavan said, "raised the The move was backed up months later by none other than lawyer friend Harish Salve. "He told me that my presence would have affected credibility," said a retired IPS officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre. He was also appointed High Commissioner to Cyprus in 2017.

"Modi's interrogation in my room in the SIT office lasted for 9 hours," Raghav said. Malhotra later told me that Modi had remained calm and restrained during the interrogation which was completed late at night.

Admitting not a single tea

, Raghav said, "He (Modi) did not shy away from answering any question. When Malhotra asked Modi if he would take a break for lunch, he initially refused. He brought a bottle of water himself and during a lengthy interrogation he did not even accept a cup of SIT tea.

The closure report filed in 2012

told Raghav that Modi had to be persuaded to take a short break. Praising Modi's energy level, Raghavan said that he was finally ready for a short break but he was ready to do so not for himself but for Malhotra's need for relief.

The SIT filed a 'Closure Report' in February 2012. Modi and 63 others were also given a clean chit. Including many senior government officials. The SIT said there was "no legal evidence" against him.