India: 2 get life terms in 2002 train fire case

By Shuriah Niazi

NEW DELHI, India

A court in western Indian state of Gujarat on Monday convicted two more persons in connection with the 2002 train burning case.

According to the Times of India, HC Vora, a special judge, convicted Farooq Bhana and Imran Sheru and awarded life sentences to them after the prosecution established their role as conspirators in the burning of Sabarmati Express.

The court acquitted three other suspects.

The suspects were arrested in 2015 and 2016 and were facing trial by the Supreme Court-appointed special investigation team court.

In 2011, the court convicted 31 people, out of which 11 were given death penalty and remaining 20 were given life sentences. The court also acquitted 63 people in the case.

Last year, the Gujarat High Court commuted the death sentences given to 11 convicts to life term.

On Feb. 27, 2002, a coach of the Sabarmati Express was set ablaze in Godhra railway station that left at least 59 passengers dead.

The incident triggered massive riots in the state. More than 1,000 people, majority of them Muslims, died in the riots, according to official figures.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief minister of the state at that time.