Magistrate likely to pronounce order tomorrow on Zakia's plea

However, Jafri's lawyers argued that SIT, throughout its investigation, totally ignored the evidence and material and even alleged that the SC-appointed probe agency was shielding the main culprits behind the 2002 riots, in which close to 1,000 people were killed.

“The SIT, instead of functioning like an independent investigating agency, has been doing the job of shielding the powerful accused,” advocate Mihir Desai had said, during his submissions on behalf of Jafri.

They had also alleged that the SIT has been ‘misleading' the court and ‘deliberately distorting' higher court's orders.

Zakia's lawyers also maintained that there was enough evidence to prosecute Modi for alleged role in the post-Godhra riots.