The special designated court conducting trial in the Naroda Gaam massacre case of 2002 riots in which former BJP minister Maya Kodnani is a key accused, has summoned BJP president Amit Shah to depose before the court as defence witness on September 18th.

The trial court judge PB Desai issued summon to Mr Shah at his residence in Ahmedabad, asking him to appear before the court on September 18th. However, the court said the summons will not be reissued if Mr Shah does not depose on the due date as per the court’s instruction.

Earlier, the court had asked the key accused Dr Kodnani to bring Mr Shah as defence witness latest by September 12. During the argument, Dr Kodnani contended that since Mr Shah was travelling extensively, she was not in position to deliver the court’s notice for deposition.

On Tuesday, advocate Amit Patel appearing for Dr Kodnani submitted residential address of Mr Shah in Ahmedabad following which the court issued the summons.

Dr Kodnani had sought examination of 14 people, including Mr. Shah, to prove her alibi that on February 28, 2002, the day riots broke out in Naroda Gaam, a locality in North Ahmedabad, she was not at the scene of the crime as is being accused by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) which is prosecuting agency in the case.

Among those 14 persons she listed as witnesses, 12 including her husband have already testified in her favour and endorsed her contention that she was not present when the offence happened. Mr Shah is the last listed defence witness in her trial; all others have been cross-examined by the court.