Gujarat opposes in Supreme Court bail pleas of some convicts in Godhra train burning case

Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta said these convicts threw stones on the Sabarmati Express at Godhra which prevented people from escaping the burning coach

The Gujarat Government has opposed in the Supreme Court the bail pleas of some convicts of the 2002 Godhra train burning case, saying they were not merely pelting stones and their acts prevented people from escaping the burning coach.

On February 27, 2002, 59 people were killed when the S-6 coach of Sabarmati Express was burnt at Godhra, triggering the riots in the State.

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The matter came up for hearing on Friday before a Bench of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice P.S. Narasimha.

The apex court, while asking the State to specify the individual roles of the convicts, observed that bail pleas of those who were accused of stone pelting could be considered as they have already spent 17-18 years in jail.

Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the State of Gujarat, said these convicts threw stones on the train which prevented people from escaping the burning coach.

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