The Hindu : Front Page : Special courts may try Godhra riot cases

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Tuesday, Apr 14, 2009
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Special courts may try Godhra riot cases

J. Venkatesan

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday indicated the setting up of special designated courts in Gujarat to try the 2002 Godhra related riot cases.

A three-judge Bench of Justices Arijit Pasayat, P. Sathasivam and Aftab Alam gave the indication while reserving the verdict on petitions filed by the National Human Rights Commission and others. The court had stayed the trial of over a dozen cases following a demand for a CBI probe.

Senior counsel Harish Salve, amicus curiae, said the stay should be vacated, supplementary charge sheets filed and special public prosecutors appointed to conduct the trial. He said the Gujarat government had accepted the report of the Special Investigation Team (SIT).

Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the State government, said that a reading of the report showed that all major allegations made by an NGO (Citizens for Justice and Peace) in the last five years about the complicity of the State in the riots were found to be false by the SIT. It was found that witnesses had filed same affidavits at the instance of the NGO.

Mr. Justice Pasayat said, “we don’t’ want to go into the allegations. Justice must prevail. Truth can be arrived at only if there is such an atmosphere. Riot cases as such have to be given priority in all States. It should be taken on priority basis. Fast track courts should be set up and these riot cases should be given priority, as feelings run high.” The Bench asked counsel for parties to give their suggestions on appointment of public prosecutors, witness protection and a mechanism to monitor the trial.

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