Seven out of 13 convicted in rioting case, one convict escapes

Ahmedabad, Mar 17 (UNI) A local court today sentenced seven persons to life imprisonment and acquitted six others in a riot related case of November 2003.

One of the convicts, Javed Shaukat Quereshi who was out on bail, fled soon after the order was pronounced. The sentence was handed by Judge M T Unadkat.

Giving details about the case, Dakshesh Jani, Assistant Public Prosecutor, said 13 people have been accused of being part of a mob, which was indulging in rioting and arson on November seven, 2003. They have been allegedly involved in burning a scooter, snatching a woman's gold chain and throwing stones at a state transport bus before committing the murder of a youth.

He said the youth, Mukesh Panchal, was on his way to work with his friend Ajay when the mob attacked them near Chowkdar baba, in Chandora area of old city. While Ajay fled the scene, Panchal was stabbed by the accused and taken to a secluded hut in Millatnagar area.

When he regained consciousness, they threw chemicals on him and tortured him . He was then thrown into a pond.

His body was recovered, four days later, Mr Jani said.

Six of the accused were caught two days after the incident, he said, adding the convicts were identified by policemen who had seen them attacking Panchal.

Six of the accused were left off for lack of evidence, he said and added a total of 34 witnesses were examined during the trial.

UNI MMG SSS OM KP2142