SC grants bail to Godhra carnage convicted Farooq Bhana in which 59 Hindus were burnt to death

New Delhi, Dec 15: The Supreme Court on Thursday granted bail to Farooq Bhana who is sentenced to life in the Godhra carnage case. This comes after it considered the fact that he has undergone 17 years sentence and that his role was stone-pelting at the train.

 

 

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha passed the order. CJI DY Chandrachud said, "the applicant has sought bail on the ground that he has been in custody since 2004 and has undergone imprisonment for about 17 years. In view of the facts and circumstances of the case and the role attributed to the applicant, we direct the applicant to be granted bail subject to such terms and conditions as may be imposed by the Sessions Court".

 

 

Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, appearing for the State of Gujarat, told the bench that the case was not "mere stone-pelting" by the convicts, as their acts prevented people from escaping the burning train coach. He said, "He instigated the others, pelted stones and injured the passengers. Under normal circumstances, pelting of stones may be a less grave of an offence. But this is different."

 

It should be noted that earlier this year, on May 13, the Court had granted one of the convicts, Abdul Raheman Dhantiya interim bail for six months on the ground that his wife was suffering from terminal cancer and that his daughters were mentally challenged. Later, on November 11, the Court extended his bail till March 31, 2023.

 

 

The horrifying crime which took place on February 27, 2002, resulted in the killing of 59 Hindus in a fire inside the S-6 coach of Sabarmati express which was carrying kar sevaks from Ayodhya. The Godhra carnage triggered communal riots in Gujarat.