Gujarat riots: HC to hear appeals in Sardarpura case on April 27

The Gujarat High Court will be hearing the appeals on the verdict of 2002 Sardarpura Gujarat riot case on April 27.

The special investigation team (SIT) and the state have filed appeals challenging the acquittal of 42 accused.

The 31 persons, who were awarded life sentence by the trial court, have also filed appeals.

Some of the victims have also challenged the acquittals in the case of 14 accused.

All the appeals came up before the bench of Justices Jayant Patel and Paresh Upadhyay today, who posted hearing on admission on April 27.

In November last year, the special court in Mehsana awarded life imprisonment to 31 people in the Sardarpuara riot case, acquitting 42.

Out of the 42, 11 were acquitted for lack of evidence, while 31 got benefit of doubt.

The riot at Sardapura, in Vijapur tehsil of Mehsana district, took place on the intervening night of February 28 and March 1, 2002, following the Godhra train burning incident.

Thirty-three persons of minority community, including 22 women, were burnt alive during the riot.