The Gujarat High Court pronounced its verdict today on a set of appeals challenging convictions and acquittals by a special SIT court in the 2002 Godhra train coach burning case. Here is all you need to know about the Godhra train burning case that has been grabbing headlines for years:-
What really happened?
– The incident took place in S 6 coach of Sabarmati Express train on February 27, 2002
– There were 59 people, mostly ‘kar sevaks’, in the S6 coach of Sabarmati Express train. All 59 died, as per a report in The Indian Express.
– They were returning from Ayodhya
– S6 coach was burnt at the Godhra station, triggering riots in Gujarat
CONVICTION and ACQUITTAL
– The special SIT court had on March 1, 2011 convicted 31 people and acquitted 63 in the case, while 11 people were sentenced to death, 20 were given life in jail, news agency PTI reported.
– Later, several appeals were filed in the High Court challenging the conviction, while the state government had questioned the acquittal of 63 people.
– The court had convicted 31 people while accepting the prosecution’s contention that there was a conspiracy behind the incident.
– All the 31 were convicted under IPC sections related to murder, attempt to murder and criminal conspiracy.
Who all were ACQUITTED?
– Those acquitted included the prime accused, Maulana Umarji, the then president of Godhra Municipality Mohammad Hussain Kalota, Mohammad Ansari and Nanumiya Chaudhary of Gangapur, Uttar Pradesh.
Fire was NOT an accident: Nanavati Commission
– The Nanavati Commission, appointed by the Gujarat government to probe the carnage, had concluded that the fire in the S-6 coach was not an accident, but it was set ablaze.
(All stats and data: PTI)