Gujarat violence: 8 get life terms, 29 acquitted

Godhra, Gujarat, Oct 30 (UNI) A local court today sentenced eight people, including BJP member and former Kalol panchayat chief Chandrasinh Parmer, to life imprisonment for burning alive seven members of a family during the post Godhra violence.

The sessions court also handed down three-year jail terms to three others.

Of the 40 accused, 29 were acquitted by the court.

According to the prosecution, the accused had indulged in violence, spread over two days, in Eral village in Panchmahals district. On March 2, 2002, the mob had indulged in arson and looting while on March 3, it burnt alive seven members of a family and raped two teenaged girls.

The lower court found Chandrasinh Ramasinh Parmar, Ganpatbhai Haribhai Parmar, Dhoolsinh Dabsinh Parmar, Mahendrasinh Chhatrasinh Parmar and Ashoksinh Chhatrasinh Parmar guilty of murdering all the seven persons of the family. They have been sentenced under section 302 of the Indian Penal code and were not charged with rape.

Two brothers -- Narendrasinh alias Gannu Chandrasinh Parmar and Mahesh alias Chakku Chandrasinh Parmar -- and Kanubhai Bharatbhai Parmar were sentenced for rape as well as the murder of two girls.

Vinod Ramanbhai Vanad, Rajubhai Chandubhai Parmar and Bhailalbhai Maganbhai Parmar have been sentenced to three-year terms under IPC 436 for arson. All the three were granted bail to appeal in higher court and have been granted one month's time.

Medina Sheikh, an eyewitness, told the court that her daughter Shabana and niece Suhana were raped by rioters on the fateful day.

The mutilated burnt bodies were found later. Five other members of the family were also burnt alive.

UNI