1. 2002 Riot Victims Urge SIT to Expedite Trial
Seventeen years have passed since the 2002 riots and the victims-witnesses in the Naroda Gam case are running out of patience with the trial. They requested the Supreme Court appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) to ensure that court proceedings are held on a day to day basis, as directed by the apex court.
Naroda Gam is the only trial left out of the nine cases transferred to the SIT for further investigation by the SC. Advocate MA Shaikh who represents some of the witnesses wrote to the SIT complaining about long adjournments. In his letter written in July he highlighted a 54-day long summer break in hearings in the summer.
Witnesses have pointed out that the hearings were held for only 45 days in 2018.
(Source: Times of India)
2. 11 People Get Life Term Till Death for Dalit Man's Murder
Eleven people were sentenced to life imprisonment till death by a court in Gir-Somnath district of Gujarat Thursday for burning a Dalit man alive six years ago. A fine of Rs 54,500 was imposed on each of the accused, who were found guilty of killing Lalji Sarvaiya, a Dalit youth of Ankolali village in Una taluka in September 2012.
None of the convicts will be entitled for remission of sentence, the judge said, thus awarding them a life sentence till death. Sarvaiya (27) worked in a stone quarry. His was the only Dalit family in the village. He had applied for a mining license and some villagers did not want him to get it, said the family's lawyer Govind Parmar.
(Source: PTI)
3. Satellite Gangrape Complaint Is False: Cops
The Ahmedabad Police submitted before the court that the much controversial Satellite Gang Rape Case is a false complaint and proposed closure of the case. According to the cops the complainant filed a false complaint and fabricated evidence to seek vengeance on the three accused because her boyfriend – who is the key accused – refused to marry her.
DCP Panna Momaya filed the ‘B’ Summary Report before a metropolitan court that the complaint was false and the three accused – Vrushabh Maru, Gaurav Dalmiya and Yamini Nair – were not arrested.
The court issued a notice to the complainant asking her to reply if she has any objection to the proposal to close the case in absence of evidence.
(Source: Times of India)
4. Gujarat Dy CM Nitin Patel in Mumbai for Knee Replacement
Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, Nitin Patel, was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital for knee replacement surgery on Thursday. The surgery will be performed on Friday morning and he will be discharged by Sunday. However, he is reported to be on leave till 8 December. Patel was advised to get his knee replaced last year.
On Friday CM Vijay Rupani will hand over Patel’s portfolio to a stand-in. According to sources, education minister Bhupindersinh Chudasma is likely to handle some of the portfolios in his absence. Patel is the second minister to be hospitalised this week after Minister of State for Home Pradipshinh Jadeja is currently being treated for oral cancer.
(Source: Times of India)
5. Ex BJP Minister Who Joined Congress Returns in 48 Hours
Former BJP minister Sunderinh Chauhan who joined the Congress on Tuesday in presence of Gujarat Congress chief Amit Chavda and state Congress in-charge Rajiv Satav at the Gujarat Congress HQ in Ahmedabad, returned to BJP. Chahuan was denied ticket in 2017 and he was reportedly miffed with the BJP’s anti-farmer stance.
However, on Thursday Chauhan returned to the saffron Party in the presence of the BJP Chief Whip Pankaj Desai and Kheda MP Devusinh Chauhan. While re-joining the BJP Chauhan claimed that he was lured by the Congress leaders and he joined the Grand Old Party under duress. On Wednesday another former BJP leader Lalji Mer had also joined the Congress.
(Source: Times of India)
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