NEW DELHI: An Indian court acquitted 69 Hindus including former Minister from ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of murder of 11 Muslims during communal riots in western state of Gujarat in 2002.

Killings occurred in Ahmedabad on February 28, 2002, day after suspected Muslim mob set fire to train carrying Hindu pilgrims, setting off one of independent India’s worst outbreaks of religious bloodshed.

Total of 86 Hindus were accused of killings in Naroda Gam district of Ahmedabad, 17 of whom died during trial. All accused were free on bail. “We have been saying from first day that they were framed,” defence lawyer Chetan Shah, who represented 82 of accused said. “Some of accused were not present at scene on day of incident.

” Shamshad Pathan, who represented victims, said they would challenge court’s decision in higher court. “Justice has eluded victims once again.

We will study grounds on which court has acquitted accused persons,” Pathan said. Those acquitted include Maya Kodnani, former Minister of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP, who was lawmaker at time of riots, former Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi and Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Jaydeep Patel.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 21 2023

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