On February 27, 2002, this coach, S6, of Sabarmati Express was torched by a mob near the Godhra station. Fifty-nine karsevaks were burnt to death. Photo: AP
The remains of the ill-fated Sabarmati Express coach that was burnt down. Gujarat police registered a case under the Prevention of Terrorism Act against those unidentified persons behind the incident. Photo: Special Arrangement
The killings sparked a wave of communal violence in various parts of Gujarat, probably the worst communal riot the country witnessed after the partition of India. Photo: AP
The then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi appeals for calm in Ahmedabad, in this file photo. In the susequent elections, the NDA lost power at the Centre, but the BJP retained the Gujarat Assembly. Photo: PTI
The Gujarat Government appointed Justice Shah to probe the Godhra carnage and post-Godhra riots. Later, retired judge of the Supreme Court, Justice G.T. Nanavati was asked to head the Commission. Photo shows a scene outside one of the hearings of the Nanavati-Shah Commission in Ahmedabad. File Photo: AP
Meanwhile, the UPA-led Cabinet constituted an inquiry into the Sabarmati burning incident, headed by former Justice U.C. Banerjee. Photo: The Hindu Photo Library
Justice U.C. Banerjee submitted his final report in March 2006. His report said, the incident was an "accident". However, the Supreme Court quashed the inquiry as "unconstitutional" and "invalid". Photo: The Hindu Photo Library
The Supreme Court constituted a Special Investigation Team, headed by R.K. Raghavan, to look into the Godhra mishap and eight cases on post-Godhra riots. The SIT is still conducting the inquiry. Photo: PTI
The Nanavati-Shah Commission submitted its report on September 18, 2008. The report labelled the train burning a "conspiracy." Trials began in Ahmedabad Central jail on June 1, 2009. Photo: PTI
On February 22, 2011, Additional Sessions Judge P.R. Patel passed the verdict on the burning of the Sabarmati Express. Special Public Prosecutor J.M. Panchal speaks to the media after the vedrict, which convicted 31 people. Photo: PTI
COMMents
SHARE