New Delhi: Eleven accused in the post-Godhra riots in 2002 were sentenced to life imprisonment by a fast-track court in Godhra on Wednesday.
They were accused of killing 11 members of a minority community in Panchmahal district of the State, one of the worst-affected areas during the post-Godhra riots.
The fast-track court judge R D Thakkar sentenced prime accused Dalpa Jethabhai Baria and 10 others, including Kalu Soma, Bana Phata, Raisinh Phula, Dhana Rupa, Salam Aba, Balwant Jiva, Natwar Kalu, Ratna Kalu and Rupa to life imprisonment.
The court, which had examined over 80 witnesses in this case, however, acquitted 18 others for want of adequete evidence.
A mob, comprising people from nearby villages had on March 5, 2002 attacked a group of minority community members who had taken shelter in a school compound in Ajwana village.
Armed with sharp weapons, the mob had attacked the group killing 11 people, including six women, two children and two elderly persons.
The fast-track court also awarded 10 years' rigorous imprisonment to three of the 34 accused in a kidnapping and murder case in Ajanwa village, in which the same mob had committed arson and looted properties of minority community members in the village on March 3.
Fast-track judge Thakkar imposed a fine of Rs 250 each or an additional 15 days imprisonment on the three - Dhana Rupa (who also got life sentence in the first case), Raisinh Puja and Bharat Puja.
The court, however, acquitted 31 others for want of sufficient evidence.
The 34 accused in this case were allegedly part of the same mob which had killed 11 people in Ajanwa village on March 5.
(With inputs from PTI)
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