SC to hear Godhra train burning case on Feb 13

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has scheduled the hearing of appeals in the 2002 Godhra train burning case for February 13. The Gujarat government and several convicts have filed appeals against the Gujarat High Court's October 2017 verdict, which upheld the conviction of several individuals while commuting the death penalties of 11 convicts to life sentences.

On February 27, 2002, the S-6 coach of the Sabarmati Express was set ablaze at Godhra, Gujarat, killing 59 people and sparking riots across the state. The Gujarat government had requested the death penalty for the 11 convicts whose sentences were commuted by the high court.

The Supreme Court bench, consisting of Justices J K Maheshwari and Aravind Kumar, made it clear that no adjournment would be granted in the case. When the matter came up for hearing, the counsel for one of the convicts argued that no evidence had been presented in the case, but the court firmly declined any delay. Justice Maheshwari emphasized that this case had been postponed multiple times in the past, and it would not be adjourned again.

The Gujarat High Court had confirmed the convictions of 31 individuals, but the 11 death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment. The state of Gujarat is seeking the restoration of the death sentences, while several convicts have filed challenges against their convictions. The court deferred the matter to February 13 after hearing submissions from both sides, with the convicts’ legal teams requesting more time.

The Supreme Court clarified that criminal appeals and remission cases would be heard separately, and the appeal concerning the commutation of death sentences would take priority. Senior Advocate Sanjay Hegde, representing one of the convicts, emphasized that the court must first confirm the guilt of the accused before addressing sentencing.

With PTI inputs