Gujarat riot victim's acquittal brings no joy to wife

Sumitra Patel, wife of Ashwin Patel who was acquitted, had no reasons to celebrate her husband's release on Wednesday. Ashwin and his elder brother Dinesh Patel had been named as accused in the case. While Dinesh had got bail, Ashwin had to spend three precious years of his life in the prison.

Ashwin has two daughters, Rinkal and Shilu, and a son Brijesh.

Talking about Ashwin, Sumitra said: "I am happy that he will be back to take care of his parents, our children, but his health has deteriorated in the prison. So even if he is released, he would not be able to resume agricultural work in the farms."

Ashwin was arrested by the SIT. "For last three years, since he was arrested, I am trying to make two ends meet for my kids by raising buffaloes and selling milk with the help of relatives. I was living in a rented house till now in the village, now we will be having our own house," said his wife.

Kamuben Patel, mother of Ashwin and Dinesh, said: "We feel that justice has been delivered, but late. There was no agricultural yield for three years. My elder son Dinesh had to leave his job in a doctor's clinic because of legal compulsions of appearing in the police station every 10 days. Ashwin's health was so deteriorated in the prison that he was admitted to Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad."

Arvind Patel, brother of Ashwin and Dinesh, said: "We haven't celebrated Diwali for last four years. Who would like to celebrate the festival, while a brother or a son is in the prison?"