Special Judge P.R. Patel pronounced death penalty for 11 Muslims and life imprisonment for 20 Muslims for allegedly burning S-6 coach of Sabarmati Express in 2002. The train burning incident rendered 59 kar sevaks dead and triggered anti-Muslim riots which claimed over 2000 lives, mostly Muslims. Prashant Bhushan, who was amicus curie in Gulberg Housing Society case, has called the verdict a “travesty of Justice”.
Eminent lawyer Mukul Sinha termed the conviction of 31 people as based on “concocted evidence” and “falsehood”. Reputed Human Rights activist Teesta Setalvad debunked any “conspiracy” to attack the train. The Banerjee Commission reported that the said coach was not burnt by outside people but was burnt from inside.
Gujarat is a laboratory of fascist Hindu Rashtra of RSS. The opposition, the media, NHRC’s fact-finding Commission’s Report, Amnesty International, etc. held Modi responsible for playing with the lives and properties of Muslims throughout Gujarat, in 2002. It was an organised massacre of Muslims hence downright state-terrorism which tarnished the fair name of India in the world.
The Supreme Court ordered the transfer and re-trial of Best Bakery case to Maharashtra. It remarked that justice delivery system in Gujarat was abused, misused and mutilated. This very harsh indictment of the Supreme Court is a slap on the face of Modi and his supporters and protectors. It means Gujarat’s entire administration and judiciary has been saffronised and communalised.
G Hasnain Kaif
Bhandara, M.S.