Sabarmati Express Carnage
Facts: Coach S-6 of the Ahmedabad-bound train was attacked by an enraged mob at Godhra railway station early morning on February 26, 2002; and 59 passengers, mostly karsevaks returning from Ayodhya, were charred to death. The incident was followed by large-scale riots in several parts of the state.
The accused: Most of those accused in this case belong to the minority community. There are 134 people accused in the case, including 18 minors. Of these, 19 were bailed out, including three minors; two accused have died. Thirteen were freed after the police dropped charges against them, with 79 in jail.
Legal status: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) had invoked the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota) against the accused. However, the Supreme Court recently upheld the recommendation of the Central Pota Review Committee to revoke the charges under the law. The accused will be tried under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the case papers have been transferred to the Godhra sessions court, on a Supreme Court order.
Gulbarg Society Massacre
Facts: Seventy people were killed, 31 of whom are still considered missing, in broad daylight at Gulbarg Society at Chamanpura, which falls under the Meghaninagar police station. Former MP Ahesan Jafri was targeted by the mob and killed in the incident.
The accused: The crime branch had arrested 70 people. However, most of these accused are roaming free after securing bail.
Legal status: A special public prosecutor was appointed for the trial in the case. The trial was, however, halted after the Supreme Court stayed the same, in response to a petition filed by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
Naroda Patiya and Naroda Gaam Massacres
Facts: These incidents took place in broad daylight on February 28, 2002. More than 110 people were brutally massacres, while girls and women were gang-raped in this area located on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. Policemen were accused of abject complicity with powerful politicians, who allegedly planned and perpetrated the carnage; subsequent investigations revealed this fact.
The accused: There are 79 people accused in the Naroda gaam case. The crime branch arrested 40 people in the case, and the SIT, a further 30, including Maya Kodnani and Jaideep Patel. More than 60 accused were arrested in the Naroda Patia case, including 20 by the SIT. Most of the accused are roaming free on bail.
Legal status: Lawyers HM Dhruve and Amit Patel are appearing for the SIT in the Naroda Patia case, while Sudhir Brahmbhatt remains the special public prosecutor in the Naroda gaam case. However, the trial was halted following a Supreme Court order staying the hearing, after the NHRC filed a petition.
Sardarpura Village Massacre
Facts: The incident occurred during the night of March 1-2, 2002. The village is situated near Vijapur taulka of Mehsana district. Thirty-three people were burnt alive by a mob that targeted Shaikh Mohalla in the village, even as people from the nearby Pathan Mohalla watched. The police have been accused of utter complicity by failing to protect the lives of the people and thereafter subverting the investigation.
The accused: All 46 accused were bailed out at the beginning of the legal process.
Legal status: The case is pending in the local court. Not a single witness has been examined. The SIT revived the investigation and arrested a few more accused and also moved applications seeking cancellation of the bail of the accused.
Ode Village Massacre
Facts: This incident in Umreth taluka of Anand district on March 1, 2002. Twenty-seven people were killed in three separate incidents; most victims were burnt alive and one was torched on the street the next day. Two FIRs have been filed in connection with the incident. The complainants said that only four deaths were confirmed and that the bodies of the other victims were disposed of at some unknown location.
The accused: The police filed two separate chargesheets against more than 33 accused.
Legal status: Most of the accused in the case have been bailed out. The trial has been halted by a stay order of the Supreme Court.
Dipda Dwarja Massacre
Facts: In this incident which took place on February 28, 2002, 14 people, including five children, were burnt alive by an enraged mob near the Dipda Darwaja area of Visnagar town in Mehsana. The bodies were recovered from the spot by forensics officers. A complaint was lodged against the killing of 11 people, but there has been no complaint in connection with three missing people.
The accused: Two FIRs pertaining to the case show 79 as accused. All were arrested and then bailed out. The SIT revived the investigation and arrested 11 people, including one police inspector. Two accused have died.
Legal status: Legal proceedings in the case are pending because of a stay order of the Supreme Court. There will now be a fresh trial in the fast-track court.
Killing of two Britishers
Facts: Four people, including British nationals Shakeel and Saeed Dawood, were killed by an enraged mob near the Prantij-Himmatnagar highway in Sabarkantha. The British family was on a visit to the state and was travelling to Navsari in a Tata Sumo car.
The accused: All six accused got bail.
Legal Status: Court proceedings have not been initiated on account of the stay order of the Supreme Court. However, the kin of the deceased British nationals have filed a civil suit, demanding Rs22 crore as compensation from the state government.
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