Godhra Verdict: 31 Convicted in Sabarmati Express Burning Case
Ahmedabad, Feb 22 (TNN): Thirty-one accused out of 95 have been convicted for burning the S6 coach of the Sabarmati Express and killing 59 passengers, mostly kar sevaks returning from Ayodhya on February 27, 2002, at Godhra. The rest of the 63 accused have been let off.
The verdict, given by sessions judge P R Patel, comes nine years after the train burning incident triggered widespread riots in Gujarat that left over 1200 people, mostly Muslims, dead.
The court has, however, acquitted main conspirator Maulvi Umarji. The court will pronounce the quantum of sentence on February 25.
The Nanavati Commission, appointed by the state government to probe the carnage, had in the first part of its report, concluded that the fire in the S6 coach was not an accident, but it was caused by throwing petrol inside it.
"The burning of the coach S6 was a pre-planned act. In other words there was a conspiracy to burn the coach of the train coming from Ayodhya and to cause harm to the karsevaks travelling in it," the report, submitted to the government in September 2008, said.
The case saw a lot of controversy from the beginning and was finally investigated by a special investigation team headed by ex-CBI director RK Raghavan, under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court.
Nearly 134 people, including five under 18 years were booked under Pota, and this became Gujarat's first case under the anti-terror law. After Pota was repealed the charges were dropped from this case in 2005 on a recommendation by the Central Pota review committee.
The conspiracy theory in the case mainly stands on confessions of accused and witnesses taken under section 164 of CrPC and under section 32 of Pota. Two inquiries on the incident concluded differently on how the fire happened. A commission set up by the Centre under Justice UC Banerjee said the fire was caused from inside the coach.
Timeline of Godhra train carnage case
Ahmedabad, Feb 22 (IANS): The timeline of events related to the 2002 Godhra train carnage case in Gujarat:
Feb 27, 2002: 59 people killed as mob attacks S-6 coach of the Sabarmati Express -- en route from Ayodhya to Ahmedabad -- near Godhra railway station in Gujarat.
May 22, 2002: First chargesheet filed by investigation agency, no mention of offences under the provisions of Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA).
Dec 19, 2002: Second supplementary chargesheet filed, still no mention of offences under the provisions of POTA.
March 2003: Special POTA court constituted to conduct trial.
April 16, 2003: Third supplementary chargesheet filed, charging accused with offences under provisions of POTA.
Nov 21, 2003: The Supreme Court stays probe into nine 2002 communal riots cases, including the Godhra train burning case.
September 2004: POTA review committee arrives in Gujarat.
May 16, 2005: POTA review panel gives opinion.
April 2008: The apex court lifts stay on probe and constitutes a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by former Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chief R.K. Raghavan to probe the case.
Feb 12, 2009: The Gujarat High Court revokes POTA charges against all the accused in the Godhra train carnage case.
April 2009: The apex court orders formation of special fast track courts for the nine 2002 riots cases, including the Godhra train burning case. Additional Sessions Judge P.R. Patel appointed for train carnage trial.
June 2009: The special court begins trial in the train burning case.
May 30, 2010: Trial court judge visits the scene of crime near Godhra railway station.
Sep 28, 2010: Trial court reserves judgment.
Jan 24, 2011: Godhra train carnage case verdict fixed for Feb 19, later deferred to Feb 22.
Jan 25, 2011: Supreme Court declines to block Godhra carnage verdict.
Feb 22, 2011: The special fast track court in Ahmedabad convicts 31 people, acquits 63 in the Godhra train carnage case.