Narendra Modi, chief minister of Gujarat state, completed nine hours of questioning into his alleged role in the riots during which about 2,000 Muslims died.
Indian state chief quizzed over 2002 anti-Muslim riots
"I have fulfilled my words given to the people of the country. Nobody is above the Indian constitution and law," Modi told reporters afterwards. "We spoke in detail. I have been told by the investigators that my work is over."
It was the first time that Modi -- often accused of turning a blind eye to India's worst outbreak of religious unrest in decades -- had been quizzed about his handling of the violence.
He declined to give details of his testimony but said he supported the panel, noting it was made up of independent Supreme Court-appointed investigators and contained no one from his own state of Gujarat.
Modi, who has always denied any role in the riots, is a prominent member of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and is seen as a likely future prime ministerial candidate.
Since he became chief minister of Gujarat in 2001, he has been credited with transforming the western state into one of India's most economically successful regions.
Last year the Supreme Court ordered investigators to probe a complaint filed by Zakia Jafri, widow of ex-Congress party member of parliament Ehsan Jafri, who was killed on February 28, 2002.
Reports said Jafri was hacked to death and burnt by Hindu extremists who stormed a residential complex housing Muslim families in Ahmedabad, Gujarat's largest city.
Sixty-eight other Muslims were also killed in the massacre, one of many killings across Gujarat triggered by the death of 59 Hindu pilgrims in a train fire on February 27, 2002 that was blamed on Muslims.
An inquiry in 2005 concluded that the train fire was accidental.
R. K. Raghavan, head of the Gujarat riots panel, described Modi's appearance on Saturday as "a significant step forward".
The panel is due to submit its report to the Supreme Court by the end of April.
Victims' groups called for Modi to face a court trial over the allegations.
"We hope this will lead to the formal framing of charges against him," activist Teesta Setalvad told the NDTV news channel.
Previous investigations into the riots by the Gujarat government absolved the state's police and officials of collusion or allowing the rioters a free rein.
But last year, one state minister, Maya Kodnani, was arrested for leading a mob that killed more than 100 people during the riots, making her the most senior state official to be accused of involvement. She is currently on bail.
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