Hailing
the historic verdict in the Naroda Patiya mass murder case delivered by Judge
Jyotsnanbehn Yagnik. Special Sessions Judge in Ahmedabad today by which one
senior politician and several conspirators and ring leaders have been
convicted, Victim Survivors and CJP welcomed the verdict. In all 32 persons
have been convicted including former BJP MLA and minister in the Narendra Modi
cabinet, Smt Maya Kodnani, Babu Bajrangi, Bipin Panchal, Ashok Sindhi and
Kishan Korani (sitting corporator, accused No 20) have been convicted. Twenty-nine of the accused
were acquitted.
Most
of the accused have been charged with Sections 143, 144, 147, 148 with 149,
295, 427, 435, 436, 440, 153, 153a, 153a(ii), 323-326,302, 307 (attempt to
murder) read with 149 read with 120(b) and BP Act 135(1). Accused No 22 Suresh
Langda Chara has also been convicted under Sections 354 and 376 (sections that
deal with rape and gender violence). Quantum of sentence will be pronounced on
August 31. Smt Kodnani had been convicted under Sections 295, 427, 435, 436,
440, 153, 153a, 153a(ii), 323, 324, 325, 326, 302, 307, 120-B of the IPC. Babu
Bajrangi has been convicted under sections 143, 144, 147, 148 with 149, 295,
427, 435, 436, 440, 153, 153a, 153a(ii), 323,324,325,326, 302, 307 read with
149 read with 120-B.
The raw
courage of the victim witnesses, especially women witnesses who deposed
fearlessly while still residing in Naroda Patiya is a reflection of the
confidence generated after the Supreme Court monitoring and the protection from
Central Paramilitary forces provided by the Supreme Court. CJP had applied to
the apex court for protection of eye witnesses. CJP through its legal team
advocates Altaf Jidran and Raju Shaikh supervised by senior Adv Yusuf Shaikh
provided legal aid to about 70 eyewitnesses since 2009. CJP would like to
publicly acknowledge their contribution, also the seniors advocate MM Tirmizi
(Gujarat High Court), Mihir Desai (Mumbai) and advocates Kamini Jaiswal
(Supreme Court), Sanjay Parikh (Supreme Court), Aparna Bhat (Supreme Court) and
Ramesh Pukhrambam (Supreme Court).
Eleven
eyewitnesses have deposed in eye witnesses testimonies assigning in detail the
role played by Smt Maya Kodnani, in inciting the mob to murder, fifteen witnesses
deposed through eye witness testimonies against Babu Bajrangi, 48 witnesses
testified to the crimes committed by Suresh @ Langda Chara including the
offences of gender violence and rape. (Annexed are the list of witnesses with a
brief of their testimonies). The CJP would like to state that it was the
evidence through eye witness testimonies that enabled convictions. Corroborative
evidence was provided through the phone call records provided by police officer
Rahul Sharma and Tehelka’s Operation Kalank. Without eye witness testimonies
whoever convictions could not have taken place.
Victim
witnesses supported by CJP had also filed separate applications under Section
319 praying for police officer and then first PI KK Mysorewala to be arraigned
as accused along with former Commissioner of Police PC Pandey and SRP official
Dhantaniya. While the Judge rejected these applications, she has observed in
the victim application for compensation for rape and gender violence that the
application would be considered in the final judgement.
Names
of accused who have been convicted. Naresh Agarsinh Chara (accused 1); Murlibhai
Naranbhai Sindhi (accused 2); Ganpat Chanaji Deedawala (accused 4); Vikrambhai
Maneklal Rathod (accused 5); Haresh @ Hariyo S/o Jivanlal @ Agarsinh Rathod (accused
10); Babubhai @ Babu Bajrangi Rajabhai Patel (accused 18), Kishan Khubchand
Korani (accused 20); Prakashbhai Sureshbhai Rathod (Chara) (accused 21); Suresh @ Richard @ Langdi Kantibhai
Dedawala (Chara) (accused 22); Premchand @ Tiwari Conductor (accused 25); Suresh
@ Sehjad Dalubhai (Marathi, Charo) (absconding) (accused 26); Nawab @ Kalu
Bhaiyo Harisinh Rathod (accused 27); Manubhai Keshavbhai Maruda (Bhangi) (accused
28); Shashikant @ Tiniyo Marathi Yuvraj Patil (accused 30); Babubhai Jethabhai
Salat (accused 33); Lakshmanbhai @ Lakho Budhaji Thakor (accused 34); Dr.
Mayaben Surendrabhai Kodnani (accused 37); Ashok
Hundaldas Sindhi (accused 38); Harshad @ Mungda Govind Chara (Parmar) (accused 39);
Mukesh @ Vakil Ratilal Rathod (accused 40); Manojbhai @ Manoj Sinhi Renumal
Kukrani (accused 41); Hiraji @ Hero Marwadi @ Sonaji Danaji Medhwan (Marwadi) (accused
42); Bipinbhai @ Bipin autowala Umedray Panchal (accused 44); Ashokbhai
Uttamchand Korani (Sindhi) (accused 45); Vijaykumar Takhubhai Parmar (accused
46); Ramesh Keshavlal Dedawala (Chara) (accused 47); Sachin Nagindas Modi
(accused 52); Vilas @ Viliyo Prakashbhai Sonar (accused 53); Dinesh @ Tiniyo
Govindbhai Barange (Marathi) (accused 55); Santoshkumar Kodumal
Mulchandani (accused 58); Pintu Dalpatbhai Jadeja (Chara) (accused 60);
Kirpalsinh Jagbahadursinh Chabda (accused 62).
Eight charge sheets were
filed in this historic case that lasted several months. It was one of the nine
cases being supervised by the Supreme Court and was investigated by the SIT.
Teesta
Setalvad,
Secretary
& Trustee
Other
Trustees: IM Kadri (President), Nandan Maluste (Vice President), Arvind Krishnaswamy (Treasurer),
Alyque Padamsee, Cyrus Guzder, Javed Anand, Anil Dharker, Javed Akhtar, Ghulam
Pesh Imam, Rahul Bose, Cedric Prakash