Verdict in 2002 Naroda Patiya riot case likely on June 30

A special trial court is likely to pronounce its verdict on June 30 in connection with the massacre of 97 people from minority community in Naroda Patiya area during 2002 post-Godhra riots after it completed hearing the final arguments on Friday.

The key accused in the case included  former ministers in Narendra Modi government and MLA from Naroda constituency Maya Kodnani, ex-VHP leader Babu Bajrangi, local BJP leaders Bipin Panchal, Kishan Korani, Ashok Sindhi and Raju Chaumal.

Additional Principal Judge Jyotsna Yagnik presiding over the trial completed hearing arguments of the prosecution and defence and has given June 30 as a tentative date to pronounce the judgment.

The trial began in August 2009 and charges were framed against 62 accused, however, one of them identified as Vijay Shetty died during the course of trial.

Counsels Akhil Desai and Gaurang Vyas represented prosecution in the case.

The incident took place on February 28, 2002, a day after the Godhra train burning incident had taken place.

On February 28, 2002 when a bandh call was given by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a large crowd gathered in the Naroda Patiya area and attacked the members of minority community resulting in death of 97 people and injuries to 33 others.

As many as 327 witnesses including, eye witnesses, victims, doctors, police personnel, government officials, Forensic experts and journalists like Ashish Khetan who conducted a TV sting operation on the accused have been examined by the court.