HC cited Indo-Pak talks to slam re-trial petitioners

‘‘If we can extend hand of friendship to our neighbouring nations, which was said to be a terrorist state, by forgetting the painful past, then we fail to understand why communal harmony prevailing in the state should not be maintained and strengthened by our own people,’’ said the bench in its ruling.

And then went on to add: ‘‘It would be much better if every citizen of this country treats the state of Gujarat equally like other states and maintains its honour and dignity.It is most unfortunate that only few handful of people are indulging in dirty tactics and wrongly defaming the states and its people of ulterior motives and reasons…’’

On those asking for a re-trial, the judges were very critical: ‘‘There are some persons, (who) for their petty benefits, (are) trying to add fuel to fire, which is already extinguished, and keep the situation tense. They do not know the great harm they are causing to the state and the nation. One should not cut the branch on which (one) sits. The nation will suffer if Gujarat is made to suffer.’’

The judges also observed that it was ‘‘most unfortunate that attempt is made to create a false impression not only in other states but also in the world that Gujarat is a terrorist state, which is factually wrong.’’

Instead, they said, ‘‘it would be much better if the people of both the communities sit together and think it in a proper manner and work out in the proper direction a plan, so that in future such riots do not take place.’’

The judges criticised the conduct of the police for not recording FIRs at the scene of the crime. However, suggesting a conspiracy behind the call for a re-trial, they said: ‘‘These very witnesses when examined before the court seem to have stated the truth before the court but unfortunately it seems that for some reasons, after the pronouncement of the judgment, they fell in hands of some who prefer to remain behind the curtain. ‘‘There seems to be a definite design and conspiracy to malign the people by misusing this witness Zahirabibi, who is hardly 19 years old. She can easily fall prey to anyone and play (into) the dirty hands of anti-social and anti-national elements.’’

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