69 accused in Naroda Gam case acquitted

Among those acquitted is former Gujarat minister Maya Kodnani

A special court here today acquitted all 69 accused in the Naroda Gam massacre case, in which eleven people were killed during the bandh called by the Viswa Hindu Parishad to protest against the killing of 58 train passengers at Godhra on 27 February 2002.

Among the 69 accused acquitted on Thursday is former minister Dr Mayaben Kodnani, who was earlier sentenced to 28 years in jail in the Naroda Patiya massacre case during the post Godhra riots. She was later acquitted by Gujarat High Court while all the others convicted in the Naroda Patiya case are out on bail.

The Naroda Gam incident is among the nine major riots in Gujarat that ensued after the burning of the Sabarmati Express in Godhra on 27 February 2002. The specially designated court of Subhada Baxi was one of nine fast-track courts set up under the orders of the Supreme Court to conduct speedy trials of the 2002 riot cases.