Maya, others charged with murder

The court of designated judge, Jyotsnaben Yagnik, on Thursday framed charges against 60 persons, including former state minister and Naroda MLA Mayaben Kodnani, Babu Bajrangi, Bipin Panchal, Manoj Sindhi, Kishore Korani, Kirpal Singh Chabra and others.

 All of them have been booked under various sections of Indian Penal Code and Arms Act for murder, rape, attacking pregnant woman, throwing infant in fire, rioting, damaging property etc.

The case relates to killing of 95 people, injury to more than a hundred and damaging property worth crores in Naroda Patia in post-Godhra riots that took place after Sabarmati train burning incident in February 2002.  

Mayaben Kodnani and others have pleaded not guilty in the case. Prosecution lawyer Akhil Desai and Gaurang Vyas said, "There are 62 accused in the case; however, charges were framed against 60, while charges against two persons will be framed on Friday." Charges have also been framed against advocates Raju Chomal and Mukesh Vakil.

According to charges, after the train burning incident, Kodnani and others assembled at Naroda Patia area and led a mob in killing men, women and children of a minority community and damaging their property.

The mayhem continued despite police warning. She allegedly asked the mob to avenge the Sabarmati carnage.