32 convicted in Gujarat riots Naroda Patiya case

A decade after 95 people were killed in 2002 Gujarat riots cases, 32 people have been convicted and 29 have been let off in the Naroda Patiya case by a special court in Ahmedabad. On February 28, 2002 during the bandh call given by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, a rioting mob had attacked Naroda Patiya, killing 95 Muslims. 95 innocent lives were lost in the carnage. Many were burnt alive. The case was first investigated by the Gujarat Police, but in 2009, the Supreme Court appointed a Special Investigation Team to probe ten cases including this incident. SIT registered cases against many accused including the then minister Mayaben Kodnani and arrested her. This was the first time in the history of Gujarat that a minister was arrested in a riot case. The Naroda Patiya victims had given statements stating that Ms Kodnani had incited mobs. Of the 64 people accused, three died during trial. The remaining 61 accused were tried for murder, arson and rioting - most of them are out on bail.