Gujarat riots: Eight get lifer for rape and murder

Ganpatsinh Parmar, a former sarpanch of Eral, Mahendrasinh Parmar, Ashok Parmar and Dhulsinh Parmar also got life imprisonment for murder while Narendra Parmar, Mahesh Chandrasinh and Kanubhai Bharatbhai were sentenced to life imprisonment for rape and murder of the three women including 17-year-old Shabana Sheikh, daughter of Madina Sheikh, who is the prime witness in the case.

The incident occurred on March 1, 2002, during post Godhra riots in Eral village in Kalol Taluka in Panchmahal district. All the deceased belonged to Mustafa Ismail’s family who had fled from their home and hidden in maize when mobs attacked the Muslim houses in the village.

On March 1, 2002, the mob found them and seven members of Mustafa Ismailbhai’s family were dragged out and were killed while two of his family members, including his daughter Shabana, were raped before being killed. Mustafa Ismailbhai’s wife and two of his sons survived the attack.

The murdered members of the family are Shabana Sheikh, Ismail Master, Uribibi, Rukaiya Adambhai, Adambhai Ibrahimbhai Tajoobibi and Suhanabibi. Ismailbhai’s wife Madina Sheikh is the eyewitness to the rape and killings and the case hinged on her statement. In spite of threats and intimidation by the accused she stood her ground and remained consistent with her statements against the accused.

Vinodbhai Vadad, Raju Parmar, Bhailal Maganbhai belonging to Eral and surrounding villages were sentenced to three years in prison on rioting charges. 29 others have been acquitted while 37 persons arrested in the case are out on bail.