Modi ordered to act against Muslims

R.B. Sreekumar served as intelligence chief of western Gujarat state during 2002 riots in which about 2,000 people -- mainly Muslims -- were killed. He said he received directives from Modi and his government colleagues to tap telephones and "eliminate persons belonging to the minority community".

The police officer made the allegations in a written submission to India's Central Administrative Tribunal which investigates complaints by civil servants.

The tribunal is investigating Sreekumar's complaint that he was passed over for promotion because he ignored Modi's orders.

Modi, who has been accused by opposition and human rights groups of doing little to stop the bloody riots, has until May 9 to file a reply to the tribunal.

Gujarat state home minister Amit Shah has denied the officer's claims as "baseless" and said they were levelled by Sreekumar because he was bitter that he had been passed over for promotion.