The Supreme Court of India has scheduled a hearing for February 13 to deliberate on the appeals related to the 2002 Godhra train burning case. This decision comes as both the Gujarat government and several convicts seek to challenge the 2017 verdict by the Gujarat High Court which upheld multiple convictions and commuted the death sentences of 11 individuals to life imprisonment.
The bench, composed of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Aravind Kumar, emphasized the importance of proceeding without further delays, stating unequivocally that no adjournments would be granted on the set date. This firm stance is taken in light of previous postponements, with the case having been adjourned at least five times in the past year.
The case in question dates back to February 27, 2002, when 59 people lost their lives as the S-6 coach of the Sabarmati Express was set ablaze at Godhra, Gujarat. This incident was a catalyst for extensive communal riots across the state.
During the latest hearing, issues of evidence and procedure were brought up by the convicts’ representatives. One lawyer pointed out that some convicts have pending remission pleas, which typically consider the reduction of sentences for prisoners. However, the bench clarified that cases of criminal appeal and remission are not required to be heard concurrently, as per instructions from the Chief Justice’s office.
Senior Advocate Sanjay Hegde, representing one of the convicts, argued that the appeal concerning the commutation of death sentences should be prioritized. Hegde highlighted the lengthy passage of time—over two decades—since the initial sentences were handed down, suggesting that any decisions regarding sentencing would require careful consideration and could lead to significant repercussions.
The 2017 verdict by the Gujarat High Court had upheld the convictions of 31 individuals involved in the case, commuting the death sentences of 11 to life terms. The state’s appeal against this commutation, alongside challenges from several convicts against their convictions, forms the crux of the matters to be addressed in the upcoming Supreme Court session.
