Synopsis
The Supreme Court has set May 6 and 7 for the final hearings on criminal appeals linked to the 2002 Godhra train burning case, after multiple delays. The court's earlier decisions and the implications for the convicts are outlined.Key Takeaways
- The Supreme Court has set a date for hearing appeals related to the Godhra train burning.
- 59 individuals were killed in the incident, leading to significant legal proceedings.
- The Gujarat High Court upheld most convictions but changed some death sentences to life imprisonment.
- Multiple bail applications have been filed by the convicts, with mixed outcomes.
- The case has seen numerous delays and adjournments in the Supreme Court.
New Delhi, Apr 24 (NationPress) The Supreme Court has scheduled May 6 and 7 for the hearing of a series of criminal appeals stemming from the 2002 Godhra train burning incident.
A panel of Justices J. K. Maheshwari and Aravind Kumar was unable to address the case earlier due to time constraints.
The bench led by Justice Maheshwari had previously voiced frustration over the parties requesting postponements.
It noted that the apex court had delayed the hearing multiple times before and had placed the case at the top of its agenda on February 13 after considerable hesitation. The Supreme Court clarified that remission must be reviewed by the relevant government regardless of the appeal's status.
In February 2002, 59 individuals were killed when a train coach was set ablaze in Gujarat's Godhra, sparking widespread riots in the region. In March 2011, a trial court found 31 individuals guilty, with 11 receiving death sentences and 20 sentenced to life imprisonment. The court acquitted 63 others.
In October 2017, the Gujarat High Court affirmed the convictions but changed the death sentences of the 11 to life sentences. The convicted individuals have lodged criminal appeals against their convictions, while the Gujarat government has appealed the modification of the death sentences.
In August 2023, the Supreme Court rejected the bail requests of three convicts involved in stone pelting and theft of gold, as determined by the trial court. The court denied their bail applications, considering their specific roles in the events, but clarified that this dismissal would not impact the merits of their pending appeals. Earlier in April 2023, the Supreme Court had granted bail to eight convicts while denying it to four others.
