Gujarat seeks death for all Godhra convicts

The state government moved the appeals after appointing five lawyers to appear on its behalf at the high court. They include K G Menon,J M Panchal,N N Prajapati,A Y Kogje and K J Panchal. J M Panchal and Menon will be the special public prosecutors SPPs. The two SPPs will be assisted by advocates N N Prajapati,A Y Kogje and K J Panchal.

J M Panchal,who was the SPP during the trial,said: We have sought capital punishment for the 20 convicts who got life imprisonment by the trial court. We believe that this is a gruesome case of mass murder and there is sufficient evidence against these persons to award them capital punishment.

Referring to the second appeal,he said,We have also challenged the acquittal of 61 persons of the total 63. In their case too,we believe there is sufficient and legally tenable evidence against them to hold them guilty and give them the strictest punishment.

The two acquitted who were not included in the government8217;s appeal are Baitulla Qadar Teli and Nannumiyan Saiyed alias Nikki. Teli died soon after the judgment.

On not challenging Saiyeds acquittal,J M Panchal said,During investigation,we had evidence against him. But the witnesses did not support our case against him at the trial.

Fifty-nine people were burnt alive inside the S-6 coach of Sabarmati Express near Godhra railway station by a mob on February 27,2002. The incident was followed by unprecedented riots that left about 1,180 dead in Gujarat.