2002 Naroda Patiya Case Verdict : Gujarat HC Acquits Maya Kodnani , Upholds Conviction of Babu Bajrangi

File Picture Courtesy : The Hindu

In yet another major ruling on 2002 Gujarat Riots case, the Gujarat High Court while giving its verdict has acquitted Maya Kodnani in the infamous 2002 Naroda Patiya case.

The convicts had challenged the special court’s order in the High Court. High Court, however, upheld the conviction of Babu Bajrangi, the prime accused in the case.

Prior, a special court for SIT cases had sentenced 32 people, including former BJP minister Maya Kodnani, were convicted in the case in 2012. Kodnani was sentenced to 28 years of imprisonment, while former Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi got life imprisonment till death.

It may be recalled that ninety-seven people from the Muslim community were massacred in the Naroda Patiya riot on 28 February 2002, in one of the worst incidents to follow the Godhra train burning incident of 27 February, 2002, in which 59 kar sevaks were killed.

A division bench of Justices Harsha Devani and AS Supehiya had reserved the order last August after the hearing concluded in 11 appeal petitions including four by Supreme Court appointed-Special Investigation Team (SIT).