Death sought for Godhra train burning convicts
By IANSFriday, February 25, 2011
AHMEDABAD - The prosecution Friday sought death penalty for all 31 men convicted for the Godhra train burning in 2002 that killed 59 people. The quantum of sentence will be announced March 1.
The prosecution appeal was made to Additional sessions Judge P.R. Patel in his court within the high-security Sabarmati prison here.
The judge had Tuesday held the 31 guilty of conspiring and setting fire to S-6 coach of the Sabarmati express near the Godhra railway station Feb 27, 2002 killing 59 people.
The court acquitted 63 others including alleged mastermind Maulvi Saeed Umarji.
According to defence lawyer A.D. Shah, while the prosecution demanded capital punishment for all the 31, the defence argued that life imprisonment would suffice.
The accused were held guilty of murder, attempt to murder, dacoity, robbery and arson.
The Godhra train burning led to one of the worst communal riots in which more than 1,000 people were killed.
