Gulbarg Massacre Case: Hearing on Punishments Deferred to 9 June
The families of the victims of the massacre will get some justice after 14 years.
- The hearing on quantum of punishments for the 24 convicts in the Gulbarg Society massacre case has been adjourned to 9 June.
- The prosecution has sought “exemplary punishment” for those convicted.
- The prosecution and the Special Investigation Team have demanded capital punishment or life imprisonment till death.
The quantum of punishments in the Gulbarg Society massacre case, which was due on Monday, has now been adjourned to 9 June. Last week, 24 persons were convicted in the 2002 tragedy.
Death Penalty Only When There Is Certainty: SC
Supreme Court has said that the death penalty can only be granted when there is total certainty. The defence claims that the prosecution’s argument is based on partial evidence, according to CNN-News18.
Treat All 24 Convicts Equally: SIT
The Special Investigation Team has argued for the 13 convicted for lesser crimes to be treated at par with the 11 other convicted for murder, reports The Indian Express.
It is seeking either capital punishment or life imprisonment till death for all the 24 convicted in the Gulbarg Society massacre.
Special public prosecutor has finished his submission on the quantum of punishment for the convicts. The special court in Ahmedabad will pronounce its order shortly.
Prosecution Seeks Death Penalty
The prosecution in the Gulbarg Society massacre case seeks capital punishment or life imprisonment till death for those convicted, highlighting the brutal nature of the crime, reports News18.
Zakia Jafri, wife of former Congress Parliamentarian Ehsan Jafri, who was killed in the riots, also sought ‘maximum punishment’ for the perpetrators.
Quantum of Punishment to be Pronounced Shortly
A special court in Ahmedabad will pronounce the quantum of punishment for the 24 accused who have been convicted in the Gulbarg Society massacre case. Those convicted have been brought to court.
Eleven of those convicted have been charged with murder and the prosecution is likely to seek capital punishment against them. The lawyer for the convicted may plead for life imprisonment. Thirteen of those convicted, including VHP leader Atul Vaidya, have been charged with lesser offences.
Out of the total 66 accused, 36 were acquitted, five died during the 14-year-long trial and one is still missing.
Those acquitted include sitting BJP corporator Bipin Patel, the then police inspector of the area in which the Gulbarg Society was located, KG Erda, and former Congress corporator Meghsinh Chaudhari.
The massacre had left 69 people, including former Congress MP Eshan Jafri, dead. The predominantly Muslim society in Ahmedabad was attacked a day after the S-6 coach of Sabarmati Express was burnt near Godhra train station on 27 February 2002 during which 58 karsevaks were killed.
(With inputs from PTI)
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