Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Dec 15: The Supreme Court today granted bail to a convict serving a life sentence for the 2002 Godhra train coach fire, observing that the man has spent the past 17 years behind bars.
The convict named Faruk was found guilty of throwing stones at the Sabarmati Express coach along with several other people.
A lawyer arguing on behalf of Faruk requested that he be granted bail in light of the time spent up to this point. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha made up the bench that took note of this request.
Several inmates’ challenges against their convictions are currently pending a decision by the highest court.
For the Gujarat government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stated that the burning alive of 59 people, including women and children, was “the most heinous offence” and that the convicts’ appeals should be heard as soon as possible.
Stone-pelting is often a low-level offence, according to Tushar Mehta. However, he claimed that in this case, the train coach was bolted and stone-pelted to prevent passengers from exiting, as well as stones being hurled at fire tenders.
On February 27, 2002, the S-6 coach of the Sabarmati Express was burned in Godhra which led to riots in the state and the deaths of 59 persons.
