New Delhi: Gujarat HC today acquitted former minister Maya Kodnani and upheld the conviction of Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi in connection with the 2002 Naroda Patiya massacre case. However, the court commuted Bajrangi’s life until death sentence to 21 years in prison.
The court acquitted Kodnani – who was earlier convicted and sentenced to 24 years imprisonment – giving her a benefit of doubt.
The verdict came against an earlier order of the special SIT court convicting 32 persons including Kodnani to life imprisonment in connection with the 2002 Naroda Patiya massacre.
Ninety-seven persons, mainly women and children, were killed at Naroda Patiya one day after the Godhra carnage incident.
In 2012, special judge Jyotsna Yagnik punished 32 persons including former minister Maya Kodnani and Bajrangi and acquitted 29 others. Kodnani was awarded a 28-year jail term and Bajrangi was awarded imprisonment till his last breath. Ten persons got jail for 31 years, while the rest were handed down 24-year imprisonment.