Gujarat High Court starts hearing on appeals in Godhra train carnage case

The Gujarat High Court today commenced hearing on a set of appeals filed by the convicts in the 2002 Godhra train carnage case, some of whom have been awarded death sentence by the trial court.

In 2011, a special court convicted 31 people. Of them, 11 were sentenced to death, while the others awarded life imprisonment for the carnage. Fifty-nine passengers travelling by Sabarmati Express were killed when their coach (S-6) was set afire near Godhra station on February 27, 2002.

The trial court had acquitted 63 accused. Later, several appeals were filed in the high court. Those found guilty have appealed against their conviction, while the state government has challenged the acquittals of 63 people. Some of the appeals were filed by relatives of the deceased.

A bench of justices Anant Dave and G R Udhwani began hearing these appeals from today.

Defence lawyer A D Shah read out the charges framed against the convicts by the lower court. He also read out the statements of two key witnesses, including the train driver Rajendra Yadav, who is also the complainant in this case.

During the trial, three accused, including Shaukat Patalia, who was later convicted, died. One Maulana Umerji and Yusuf Kazi, who were acquitted, also died during this period.

In today's hearing, the prosecution requested the high court to drop the charges against the trio.