The constant inferno

Feb 27, 2002 A mob from Signal Falia, a Muslim ghetto near the Godhra Railway Station, attacked the Sabarmati Express on its way to Ahmedaba...

Feb 27, 2002

A mob from Signal Falia, a Muslim ghetto near the Godhra Railway Station, attacked the Sabarmati Express on its way to Ahmedabad on the morning of February 27, 2002. No one is sure about the exact size of the mob that attacked the S-6 and S-7 coaches of the train carrying mostly kar sevaks, who were on their way back from Ayodhya. All the casualties occurred in the S-6 coach, still lying at the Godhra station.

Death toll: 59

Status report: The only case where POTA has been invoked. A total of 123 persons booked. Case committed for trial under Section 226 of CrPC. Nine persons have since been released. As many as 46 accused are still absconding.

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POTA was not invoked against three minors who were among those arrested by the SIT. Booked under Sections 302 and 120(B) of Indian Penal Code, they are out on bail. Trial yet to begin at Godhra’s Juvenile Court.

Feb 28, 2002

The next day, the VHP called for a Gujarat bandh to protest against the attack on kar sevaks. It was the day Gujarat witnessed one of the worst communal massacres. Mobs comprising thousands of men gathered on the Narol-Naroda highway and attacked the Muslim-dominated area of Naroda Patiya. A 100-strong SRP force watched the mob grow bigger, as they left a trail of destruction.

Death toll: 89

Status report: Chargesheets filed but trial yet to begin. As many as 64 persons arrested in the carnage obtained bail. Four accused, including Bajrang Dal activist Haresh Rohera, declared absconders.

March 1, 2002

A 500-strong mob carrying swords and spears attacked a Muslim locality in Sardarpura Village, Mehsana District. Despite the area’s communal history and violence elsewhere, no preventive measures were taken. For over two hours, the mob systematically torched houses, shops and properties belonging to the minority community.

Death toll: 38

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Chargesheets filed, case committed for trial. Forty-two persons arrested, all out on bail.

Feb 28, 2002

Former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri was among the 42 victims living in Gulbarg Society, Chamanpura. Jafri had called the police for help for six hours on February 28. Former Ahmedabad Police Commissioner P C Pande had personally assured Jafri that he need not worry. Less than three hours later the mob attacked.

Death toll: 42

Status report: Chargesheets filed, main case committed for trial. Thirty-eight accused, including three minors, arrested in the case have since obtained bail. Thirteen accused still absconding. Two other criminal cases (1720/2002 and 296/2003) pending at the metropolitan court yet to be committed for trial to the Sessions Court. Trial yet to begin at the juvenile court.

Compiled by Milind Ghatwai