WITNESS IDENTIFIES KODNANI, PATEL IN COURT

WITNESS IDENTIFIES KODNANI, PATEL IN COURT

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August 10, 2022

Ayub Kureshi, one of the key witnesses in the Naroda Gam riot case of 2002 recognised Maya Kodnani and VHP leader Jaydeep Patel in the special trial court in Ahmedabad on March 12. The witness testified before the court that both had instigated the mob, which later attacked the area and killed dozens of people. According to Special Public Prosecutor Nigam Shukla, “Kureshi, who was residing in the vicinity, had gone to a nearby shop, opposite the municipal corporation office, where he saw the mob.” Nigam added, “After some time, Qureshi saw Patel and Kodnani among the mob. Patel came from the Galaxy Cinema in a car. Both leaders then instigated the mob. The mob attacked a tea stall owned by Nandumiyan Malek, who was also a member of the Shanti Samiti in the area, and also set ablaze a nearby hotel.” Kureshi also named one Bakul Vyas and his brother to be part of the mob, but could not identify them, as “many years have passed and he has not seen them after the riots.”