The Godhra Commission has summoned Zaheera Sheikh, the prime witness in the Best Bakery case, for cross-examination on May four in connection with the affidavit filed before it on May 20, 2002.

The Commission, comprising Justice (retd) G T Nanavati and justice (retd) K G Shah, on Thursday summoned her after it heard an application filed by her advocate Atul Mistry.

Mistry urged the panel to hold the cross-examination after April 18, as the matter between his client and Mumbai-based social activist Teesta Setalvad was to be heard in the Supreme Court on that date.

Mistry told the commission, "Setalvad had annexed a copy of the May 20, 2002 affidavit along with her application filed in the Supreme Court that had sought the re-trial of the Best Bakery case and that too outside Gujarat, a move that was implemented by the apex court by passing a landmark judgment."

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"Zaheera's cross-examination before the Commission in this regard could have an adverse affect on the hearing of the case in the SC on April 18," Mistry added.

Zaheera, who had on Wednesday said before the Commission that the May 20, 2002 affidavit was not hers but acknowledged that the signature was, was not present during the hearing on Thursday.