The Godhra train fire case revolved around three key questions - what caused the fire, did the accused cut the vestibules to enter S-6 coach and was a Muslim woman molested by karsevaks.
The Godhra train fire case revolved around three key questions - what caused the fire, did the accused cut the vestibules to enter S-6 coach and was a Muslim woman molested by karsevaks.
Experts, the police, probe commissions and defence advocates, all put forward different theories and opinions.
Cause of fire
The commission of enquiry constituted by the railway board and headed by Justice UC Banerjee had, in its report, stated that the cause of fire was either a short circuit or it was accidental. But the designated court rejected this view completely.
The court has also relied on the messages sent by the railway station to the fire brigade and the police station in which it had stated that a mob had set the coaches on fire.
In view of these circumstances, the court has observed that the S-2 coach, which was also damaged in the fire, was inspected to determine whether it too had caught fire because of a short circuit or an accidental fire.
"Under these circumstances, it can never be believed by any prudent person or even by a layman that the cause of fire was a short circuit or accidental," the judgement states.
Vestibules cut
The prosecution had stated that the accused had cut the vestibules of coaches to enter the S-6 coach. After that they had tried to open its doors and poured petrol in it to set it on fire.
The prosecution had further stated that the vestibules of the adjacent coach, S-7, were made of canvas which is easier to cut, unlike the vestibules of S-6 coach that were made of thick rubber.
Traces of burnt canvas were found on the S-7 coach, the prosecution had said.
The court accepted the prosecution argument that the accused had entered the train by cutting the vestibules made of canvas.
As both the vestibules of S-6 coach were made of thick rubber, it was not easy for a person to enter the corridor from outside after cutting them.
Woman molested
Was a Muslim woman really molested at Godhra railway station or was that just a rumour spread by the accused who alleged that karsevaks had abducted a Muslim woman.
The controversy was set to rest by the deposition of two witnesses - Sofiyaben Dhantiya, the woman who was molested and her mother, Jetunbibi Shaikh.
In their deposition, they stated that on February 23, 2002, Jetunbibi had come to Godhra from Vadodara with her two daughters, Sofiya and Saida, on the occasion of Id festival.
They had stayed at her sister's residence in Godhra.
On February 27, 2002, they had to return to Vadodara. They were standing on platform number 1 waiting for a local train when Sabarmati Express arrived.
"Some passengers wearing saffron-colored cotton belts got down for tea and breakfast and started shouting 'Jai Shri Ram'.
Thereafter, for some reason, a quarrel took place and they began beating a Muslim hawker who happened to have a beard," the women had stated. They said they were scared by the sudden violence and began rushing towards the ticket window.
"Meanwhile, one karsevak wearing a saffron-coloured cotton belt came from behind and gagged Sofiya by putting his hand on her mouth. But when she shouted, he released her. At that time, another person tried to pull the burkha of a Muslim woman. Then they all ran to the ticket office," the two women said in their deposition.
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