Ahmedabad Court Acquits 15 Accused in 2002 Post-Godhra Riot Case After 24-Year Trial

A Sessions Court in Ahmedabad has acquitted 15 accused in a 2002 post-Godhra riot case, granting them the benefit of the doubt after the prosecution failed to establish the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

The case was registered at Shahibaug Police Station over alleged incidents of vandalism, arson and stone-pelting in Chamanpura, near Santoshiji Mandir and in parts of Asarwa on February 28, 2002, following the Godhra train burning incident.

A mob was accused of targeting properties, shops and a local mosque during the violence.

Key Witnesses and Investigators Unavailable

The case was initially registered under several provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Sections 143, 147, 148 and 149 relating to unlawful assembly and rioting, Section 153 concerning the promotion of enmity, Section 436 for mischief by fire and Section 380 for theft.

Of the 36 people originally named as accused, the trial proceeded against 16. The remaining accused had either died or could not be apprehended during the prolonged legal proceedings.

During the trial, the prosecution examined police personnel and panch witnesses. However, the defence argued that the original complainant and key investigating officers could not be produced before the court because of death or absence.

Their unavailability left important aspects of the original complaint unverified, weakening the prosecution's case.

Prosecution Fails to Establish Individual Roles

The court found that the prosecution had failed to establish a clear sequence of events or demonstrate the individual roles of the accused through reliable evidence.

The prosecution also failed to establish the accused's identities through independent identification beyond reasonable doubt.

In view of these evidentiary gaps, the court extended the benefit of the doubt to 15 accused and acquitted them of all charges.

The outcome brings a case stemming from the communal violence of February 2002 to a close after nearly 24 years of legal proceedings.