Gujarat Govt removes security, raising concern for 2002 riot witnesses' safety

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government has decided to revoke the security cover for witnesses, lawyers, and a former judge involved in the 2002 Gujarat riots cases. The decision, made on December 13 by the Gujarat Police, follows a recommendation from Special Investigation Team (SIT) chief BC Solanki.

The security covers, provided by the witness protection cell formed 15 years ago based on Supreme Court recommendations, encompassed cases related to the communal riots, including the Godhra train burning case, Naroda Patia case, Naroda Gam case, Gulbarg society massacre case, Dipda Darwaza case, Sardarpur and Ode case.

Over 2,000 people, mostly Muslims, lost their lives in the tragic events of 2002, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat at that time.

Former principal city sessions judge Jyotsna Yagnik, who convicted 32 individuals in the Naroda Patia case, was among those receiving security cover from the witness protection cell.

The move has raised concerns among witnesses and the legal community, especially considering that many cases are still pending in court, with a significant number of accused individuals out on bail.

Imtiyazkhan Pathan, the prime witness in the Gulbarg Society massacre case, expressed dissatisfaction with the withdrawal of police protection. Pathan questioned the propriety of such a decision, highlighting the potential risks faced by those involved in the cases.

He even suggested that witnesses should be granted arms licenses for self-protection if police protection is removed.

The controversial move by the Gujarat Police has ignited a debate on the responsibility for the safety of those involved in the cases.

As the legal proceedings continue, the decision to withdraw security cover has added another layer of complexity to the longstanding aftermath of the 2002 Gujarat riots.