The November 9 verdict in Gujarat will have a long-term impact on Muslims residing in the state. Since the Godhra ethnic cleansing in 2002 they have been at the receiving end and waiting for justice to be delivered. When the court's verdict was announced that 31 people would get life sentence for their role in the carnage, the survivors and their well-wishers heaved a sigh of relief.
The accused were being punished for burning alive some 33 Muslims in Sardarpura village of Gujarat's Mehsana district. Some 73 people were accused in the case and out of them the court acquitted 42 persons. Reports have surfaced that some 11 people were freed due to lack of evidence. Also, 31 people were saved of punishment because of the benefit of doubt. The verdict was pronounced by SC Srivastva, principal district and sessions judge.
31 convicts were directed to deposit Rs 50,000 each that is to be paid to the family of victims.
After the announcement, former state DGP RB Sreekumar, who is fighting for riot victims, told reporters: "This is a historic success. Never before in the history of the trial of communal riots cases in the country, these many people have been sentenced. It has not happened in Bhagalpur or even in Best Bakery case."
The state had witnessed the worst kind of riots in India's history after some kar sevaks died in a fire that took place in the train they were travelling on. Furious at the death of kar sevaks, fight broke out in which Muslims were the main target with the Narendar Modi BJP government turning a blind eye to the atrocities being committed.
The accused were being punished for burning alive some 33 Muslims in Sardarpura village of Gujarat's Mehsana district. Some 73 people were accused in the case and out of them the court acquitted 42 persons. Reports have surfaced that some 11 people were freed due to lack of evidence. Also, 31 people were saved of punishment because of the benefit of doubt. The verdict was pronounced by SC Srivastva, principal district and sessions judge.
31 convicts were directed to deposit Rs 50,000 each that is to be paid to the family of victims.
After the announcement, former state DGP RB Sreekumar, who is fighting for riot victims, told reporters: "This is a historic success. Never before in the history of the trial of communal riots cases in the country, these many people have been sentenced. It has not happened in Bhagalpur or even in Best Bakery case."
The state had witnessed the worst kind of riots in India's history after some kar sevaks died in a fire that took place in the train they were travelling on. Furious at the death of kar sevaks, fight broke out in which Muslims were the main target with the Narendar Modi BJP government turning a blind eye to the atrocities being committed.
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