Godhra's Sabarmati Express coach burning case : SC issues notice to Guj govt on convicts' bail plea

New Delhi: Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the Gujarat government and sought its detailed reply in the bail application filed by 27 convicts in connection with the case of February 27, 2002, where 59 people were killed when the S-6 coach of Sabarmati Express was burnt at Godhra, triggering riots in the State.

"We issue notice and we will examine the issue (of granting bail to convicts). List it for hearing after two weeks," a bench of the Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dr Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chadrachud said today, in his order.

On December 15, last year, the Apex Court had granted bail to a convict, Faruk, sentenced to life imprisonment in the 2002 Godhra train coach burning case, noting that he has been in jail for the last 17 years.

Keeping in view Faruk's case, the 27 convicts have knocked the doors of the Supreme Court seeking bail on the terms and conditions of their co convict, Faruk in the case.

The Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Gujarat government, said it was “the most heinous offence” in which 59 people, including women and children were burnt alive and there was a need to hear the appeals of the convicts at the earliest.

"Some (Convicts) are saying that their role was just stone pelting. But when you lock the bogey from outside, light it on fire, then pelt stones, it's not just stone pelting offence been made out against them. It is some bigger offence," Mehta told the Supreme Court.

Some are sentenced to life sentence, and others sentenced to death penalty, Mehta said.

"Can you divide it- who were in for life, who for capital," the CJI wanted to know from Mehta.

Senior Advocate, Sanjay Hegde, for some convicts, said that the state of Gujarat is in appeal against the High Court verdict, which had brought down the capital sentence to life sentence.

The appeals against the conviction of several convicts are pending adjudication in the apex court.

On February 27, 2002, 59 people were killed when the S-6 coach of Sabarmati Express was burnt at Godhra, triggering riots in the State. (UNI)