11 Get Death Sentence, 20 Get Life Term In Godhra Train Burning Case

Mangalore Today News Network

Ahmedabad, March 01:  11 people have been sentenced to death for their role in setting a compartment of the Sabarmati Express on fire in February, 2002. Another 20 people have been given the life sentence today.

59 passengers died in the attack at the Godhra train station near Ahmedabad. Bogey S-6 was packed with kar sevaks returning from a trip to Ayodhya.

The Godhra tragedy provoked communal riots across Gujarat - 1200  people were killed, most of them Muslims.

Earlier this month, the court hearing the case found 31 people guilty on charges that ranged from criminal conspiracy to attempt to murder. 63 others were acquitted.

Those convicted were described as a "core committee" that organized a mob of nearly 1000 people and more than 100 litres of petrol to set the train on fire. 

The court has been conducting its trial inside the Sabarmati Central Jail for security reasons.

Those who have been given death sentences are :

1- Ismail Sujela alias Haji Bilal
2- Ramzani Benyam Behera
3-Razzak Kurkur (owner, Aman Guest House)
4- Jabbar Benyam Behera
5- Siraj Bala
6- Irfan Bhopa Kalandar
7- Irfan Patadia
8- Mahboob   Latika
9- Hasan Lalu
10- Mahboob Chanda
11- Saleem alias Salman Zarda