Court Said- Hindus Were Implicated Under The Pressure Of A Section Of Politicians And Media: Godhra Riots

Court said- Hindus were implicated under the pressure of a section of politicians and media: Godhra Riots: Verdict came after 20 years, acquitted 35 accused.

The Halol Municipal Court in Gujarat’s Panchmahal District has acquitted all 35 defendants in four separate train fire cases since Godhra in 2002.

Three people died in these four cases. Further Session Judge Harsh Trivedi gave a verdict on 12 June and was made public on 15 June.

The court criticized “pseudo-secular media and politicians” who said the riots were well-planned.

On February 28, 2002, 35 people were charged with murder and rioting after violence broke out around the Karlol bus station and the Derol train station in the town of Derol.

The Sabarmati train was set on fire in Godhra the previous day. The court noted that the prosecution did not present any evidence against the accused.

Even though they claimed that the prosecution had killed three people with a weapon and burned the bodies for the purpose of destroying evidence.

There were 52 defendants in this case. Of these, 17 died during the trial. These hearings have been going on for over 20 years.

According to the case file, while visiting the aid camp, police were notified of three missing persons. This relief camp was set up after local unrest.

It was alleged that riots (post-Ghodra riots) between Hindus and Muslims broke out in the city of Kalol and two other places.

A few days later, the bodies of three missing ethnic minorities were found. All 52 defendants charged with rioting, unlawful assembly, and murder have been arrested.

They were sent to the further prisons of Kalol, Halol, and Godhra. They were later released on bail. During the court session, 130 witnesses were questioned.

The court noted that no charges of riot against the accused could be proven and that prosecutors could not return the weapon used in the crime.