Godhra carnage: HC’s permission sought to visit crime scene

Highly placed sources said the special trial court has sought permission to visit the place to properly appreciate the evidence under the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code. But it is not known if the HC has granted the permission for the same.

Sessions Judge P R Patel has been holding trial of the case inside the Sabarmati Central Jail.

The case originally comes under the jurisdiction of Panchmahals district,but considering the security angle and importance of the case,the trial is being conducted inside the Sabarmati jail.

Sources said that generally the court can visit the scene of crime by itself under the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code,but looking at the extraordinary circumstances of the Godhra Train Carnage case,the court has sought the High Court’s permission. At present,the trial court is examining evidence of the case.

The prosecution has said it was a planned conspiracy to attack the train — that carried VHP kar sevaks — near Signal Faliya in Godhra after it left the Godhra railway station on February 27,2002. The defence has been contesting the prosecution case.

Prior to this,the state government-appointed Inquiry Commission headed by Justice (Retd) G T Nanavati and the Justice U C Banerjee Commission appointed by former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav have visited the site and the S-6 Coach.

The police had earlier imposed inter-alia POTA charges against the accused in the case. But they were dropped following an order by HC,based on the recommendations of the Central POTA Review Committee.