Setalvad hails witnesses’ courage

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article3838053.ece

 THEHINDU

30AUG2012

Social activist Teesta Setalvad on Wednesday welcomed the court’s ruling in the 2002 Naroda Patiya violence case, which convicted 32 people, including the BJP MLA and former Minister, Maya Kodnani, of murder and conspiracy.
“We welcome the verdict delivered and consider it a historic judgment as it has established that no matter how powerful and politically influential the accused might be, he/she can also get convicted,” said Ms. Setalvad, who has been working for Gujarat riot victims for the past several years.
Addressing the media, Ms. Setalvad said the ruling was a big victory, especially for the women victim-witnesses.
“The raw courage of the victim-witnesses, especially the women who deposed fearlessly while still living in Naroda Patiya, is a reflection of the confidence generated by the trial,” she said. — PTI