SC grants bail to convict in Godhra train coach burning case
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Thursday granted bail to a convict serving life imprisonment in the 2002 Godhra train coach burning case, noting that he has been in jail for the last 17 years.
A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha took note of the submission of a lawyer, appearing for one of the convicts, Faruk, that he be granted bail considering the period undergone till now.
The appeals against the conviction of several convicts are pending adjudication in the apex court.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Gujarat government, said it was "the most heinous offence" in which 59 people, including women and children were burnt alive and there was a need to hear the appeals of the convicts at the earliest.
Faruk along with several others was convicted for pelting stones at the coach of the Sabarmati Express.
Mehta said usually stone pelting is an offence of minor nature. However, in the instant case, the train coach was bolted and stones were pelted to ensure that passengers cannot come out and moreover, stones were thrown at fire tenders also, the law officer said.
On February 27, 2002, 59 people were killed when the S-6 coach of Sabarmati Express was burnt at Godhra, triggering riots in the state.
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Brothers awaiting board exam results drown in canal
Erode (Tamil Nadu) (PTI): Minor brothers who were awaiting their board exam results have drowned in a canal in this district while spending their Summer holidays at their aunt's place, police said.
According to Arachalure Police, Santhosh, aged 17, and his younger brother Sanjai, aged 15, natives of Musiri village in Tiruchirapalli district, came to Gopaliparai hamlet near Arachalure to their Aunt's house a couple of days ago after writing their annual 12th and 10th examinations, respectively.
The police said on Friday that both boys went to the nearby Lower Bhavani Project canal to take a bath. It was alleged that while taking a bath, both boys went to a deeper area of the canal and went missing.
As they didn't return home, even two hours after they left, their aunt grew suspicious and informed the Fire and Rescue Services, Chennimalai. A rescue team from the department rushed to the spot. After a few minutes of searching, they located the dead bodies of the brothers and sent them to the hospital. Arachalure police registered a case of death due to drowning and are investigating.
