Gujarat riots: Court rejects plea for stay on Gulburg Society riot trial

A special court here today rejected the application of 2002 Gulberg society riot victims seeking stay on the trial till the special investigation team (SIT) submits its final report, relevant to the case in the court.

Judge BJ Dhandha, hearing the case, observed that the Supreme Court has stayed the pronouncement in the case and not asked to not continue with the trial.

And the SIT has already said that it would be submitting its final report in the appropriate court as directed by the SC soon, it observed, adding that staying the trial despite SIT assurance on submission of report would not be in interest of the case.

The court agreed with the argument made by the special public prosecutor for SIT, RC Kodekar that the application has been made at the fag end of the trial and "if stay is granted it would not be in the interest of justice."

The advocate for the victims SM Vohra had sought stay on the order to approach the high court. The court denied it and asked Vohra to file a revision application against today's order and said while the arguments are on, he could approach the Gujarat High Court.

Vohra had sought stay on the trial contending that unless all the evidence related to the case were not submitted in the court, prejudice could be caused to the trial.