A court in India says investigators have found no evidence against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in connection with a riots case in 2002.

The inquiry into a massacre during the riots also found no evidence against the 58 co-accused.

Ehsan Jafri, a prominent Muslim politician, was killed along with 68 others in the Gulbarg Society residential complex in Ahmedabad city.

Mr Modi's lawyer called the allegations against his client "absurd".

The chief minister - seen by many as a possible prime minister after the 2014 general elections - argues that he has been unfairly targeted by his critics.

Mr Jafri's widow argued that he failed to go to her husband's aid as he was burnt to death along with the 68 other people by a mob in a housing colony in Gujarat.

She accused Mr Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ministerial colleagues, including top police officials, of conspiracy in the riots.

More than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, died in violence that erupted after 60 Hindus were killed in a train fire.

Correspondents say the finding by the investigators is a boost for Mr Modi, who is one of India's most controversial politicians.

The BJP welcomed the ruling - one of several that have been made in relation to the riots - saying Mr Modi had been unfairly targeted.

The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder says Mr Modi has never completely shaken off allegations of tacitly backing the rioters - but at the same time he is admired by many as one of India's most efficient administrators.

Mr Modi has always denied any wrongdoing but has not apologised for the riots.

Source: BBC

BDST: 1701 HRS, DEC 11, 2019
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