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| India-Pakistan |
| 31 convicted, 63 acquitted in 2002 train burning |
| 2011-02-22 |
| Thirty-one people were convicted and 63 others, including main accused Maulvi Umarji, acquitted by a special court in the 2002 Godhra train burning incident that ended with 59 people dead and set off violence in Gujarat that had claimed the lives of over 1,200 people. The court acquitted prime accused Maulana Umarji while other prominent accused Haji Billa and Rajjak Kurkur were convicted. The trial began in June 2009 with the charges against 94 accused in the slaughter, that had triggered widespread riots in Gujarat. The accused were charged with criminal conspiracy and murder in burning of a train coach on February 27, 2002 in which 59 people were killed. “Petrol was brought and the train was made to stop. Electricity was then cut and there was pouring of huge quantity of petrol and thereafter it was set afire so far as S-6 coach is concerned.” Asked whether he would demand death penalty for those convicted in the case, Panchal said, “What will be the stand of prosecution I cannot disclose at this stage but on February 25, I will be making my humble submissions before the honourable court as discharge of my official duty.” |
| Posted by:ryuge |