Name of the complainant : Suo motu

Case No. : 1150/6/2001-2002

Date : 11 July 2003

CORAM:

Dr. Justice A.S. Anand, Chairperson

Justice Smt. Sujata V. Manohar, Member

Shri Virendra Dayal, Member

PROCEEDINGS

1. Given the seriousness of the issues involved in the order of acquittal in the “Best Bakery Case”, the Commission, through its Proceedings of 3rd July 2003, instructed a team to proceed to Vadodara to inspect the records of the case, examine the judgement and all other relevant materials and submit a report to the Commission within one week.

2. The team, comprising Shri Ajit Bharihoke, Registrar, NHRC, Shri Sudhir Chowdhury, DIG (Investigation), NHRC and Shri P.G.J. Nampoothiri were in Vadodara on 8 July 2003 and brought back with them the relevant materials pertaining to the Best Bakery Case. As these materials are voluminous in nature and written in Gujarati, the team has, today, submitted an interim report requesting, inter alia, that it be accorded further time in which to translate and examine the materials and to submit its report to the Commission. The Commission has taken note of this request and agrees to it. Let the report be submitted expeditiously.

3. Miss Sheikh Zahirabibi Habibullah approached the Commission and made a statement before it today. Inter alia, she stated that under threat to her life and the life of the remaining members of her family, she had resiled in the Trial Court from the earlier statements made by her. She sought the help of the Commission to reopen the Best Bakery Case. The Statement has been placed on record.

4. List in the week commencing 21 July 2003.

(Justice A.S. Anand)

Chairperson

(Justice Smt. Sujata V. Manohar)

Member

(Shri Virendra Dayal)

Member