A trial court has convicted six persons while acquitting four others in a post-Godhra riot case from Viramgam taluka of the district. Three persons of the minority community had been killed in the incident, nine years ago. Additional sessions judge DB Patel on Tuesday awarded life sentences to two accused, Bhopa Bharwad and Bachuji Ranchhodji, and sentenced Vithal alias Kuchio to ten years in prison. Vahala Ghela and Mula Ghela were awarded five years’ sentences, while Mera Ghela was given a four years’ sentence.
Advocate Altaf Sheikh, the lawyer for the victims’ kin, said all the six had been convicted for charges related to the murder of Imran Bhati, Jumma Bhati and Haider Bhati at the Zorawarpir’s shrine near Viramgam on February 28, 2002.