Law Minister calls for CBI probe into church attacks

Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moily Saturday called for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the 2008 attacks on churches in Karnataka.

Criticising Justice Somasekhara's report, Moily said the police and the state government have been given a clean chit and a CBI probe was needed to restore people's faith in democracy.

The law minister noted that there was contradictions in the final report as the interim report of the commission in February last year had named Bajrang Dal as one of the groups behind the attacks.

"Both interim and final report of any panel should read together," Moily told reporters, adding "ruling BJP has hijacked the commission and has failed to protect Christians in the state."

The Somasekhara commission after two years of inquiry submitted its final report to Chief Minister Yeddyurappa on Friday.

The report had failed to name the organisations involved in the attacks despite substantial evidences against those accused in the violence.

The churches were attacked in the districts of Mangalore, Udupi, Chikamagalur, Kolar, Chikkaballapur, Bellary and Davangere during September 2008

Meanwhile, terming the report as "biased and totally unacceptable", retired Bombay High court Justice Michael Saldahna said a fresh appeal would be made in the court for reviewing the matter.

Saldanha alleged that video, photographs and statements made in media were totally ignored in the making of the final report.

Church organisations have expressed disappointment at the report and have called for a fresh probe.