The prosecution is likely to pray the court to include Prahlad Gosa, former BJP MLA from Visnagar, and Daya Bhai Patel, BJP leader and social activist from Mehsana, among the accused in Dipda Darwaja massacre case under section 319 of CrPC.
Earlier, former minister and sitting Naroda MLA Maya Kodnani and VHP leader Jaideep Patel were named accused in Naroda Patia and Naroda Gaam riot cases.
Sources said Gosa and Patel influenced investigation officer MK Patel in making a weak case while the FIR was being registered. Apart from influencing the investigating officer in lodging a weak case, Gosa also allegedly delivered inflammatory speeches during the riots.
The Deepda Darwaja incident had occurred in Visnagar town of Mehsana district on February 28, 2002, when 14 people, including five children, were burnt alive by a mob.
In the Deepda Darwaja case of Visnagar taluka in Mehsana, 11 people, including five children, were hacked to death and burnt in their houses.
This is one of the few cases that have gone for trial in the SIT-constituted special court of judge BN Kaya. An investigation by the SIT is also going on simultaneously in the case.
Another loophole in the case is that most of witnesses are close relatives or friends of the
accused who didn't support the prosecution. Sources said there are 83 accused in the case and the then PI of Visnagar and investigating officer, MK Patel, is one of them.
Earlier, SIT chief RK Raghavan visited Mehsana court on Thursday where hearing in the case is underway. The SIT chief held a meeting at circuit house and reviewed progress of the cases.
Comments