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The Supreme Court of India has set January 15, 2025, as the date for hearing appeals filed by the Gujarat government and several convicts in the infamous 2002 Godhra train burning case. This decision comes after a bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Rajesh Bindal firmly declared that no further adjournments will be granted in the matter at the next hearing. This case has been a focal point of legal and social debate in India for over two decades, and the upcoming hearing is anticipated to be a significant development in its long and complex history.
On February 27, 2002, a horrific incident took place when the S6 coach of the Sabarmati Express was set ablaze at Godhra station in Gujarat, resulting in the deaths of 59 passengers. The tragedy sparked widespread communal violence across the state, leaving a lasting scar on Indian society. Following the incident, numerous appeals have been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the October 2017 verdict of the Gujarat High Court, which upheld the convictions of several individuals involved in the train burning. The high court also commuted the death penalties of 11 convicts to life imprisonment.
The Gujarat government had expressed its intention in February 2023 to seek the death penalty for the 11 convicts whose sentences had been commuted by the high court. The upcoming hearing before the Supreme Court will address the appeals filed by both the state government and the convicts, and the court's decision could have far-reaching consequences for the case. The court's insistence on proceeding with the hearing without further adjournments highlights the importance it places on resolving this long-standing legal matter.
The 2002 Godhra train burning case has been the subject of intense scrutiny and debate, with legal proceedings lasting for over two decades. The upcoming hearing before the Supreme Court offers a crucial opportunity to bring closure to this case and provide justice to the victims and their families. The court's decision on the appeals filed by the Gujarat government and the convicts will have a significant impact on the case and may potentially serve as a precedent for future cases involving similar crimes.
The Godhra train burning and its aftermath continue to hold a prominent place in the history of India. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of communal violence and the need for justice and reconciliation. As the Supreme Court prepares to hear the appeals in the case, it is important to remember the victims and their families, and to hope for a just and equitable outcome.
Source: No more adjournments, says SC on Godhra train burning case