Court acquits all accused in post-Godhra rioting case

Godhra, Apr 12 (UNI) A fast track court today acquitted for lack of evidence 30 people accused of rioting in May 2002 in the aftermath of the Godhra train carnage.

One person had died in police firing during the rioting.

The accused, belonging to two communities, were charged with arson and stone-pelting on May 24, 2002 soon after a bomb blast rocked Jahurpura area of Godhra town.

Of the 33 people arrested in connection with three FIRs, three had died during the course of trial, while the remaining 30 were today acquitted by Additional Judge F U Malek for want of evidence.

When a 1,500-strong mob pelted stones and attacked police pickets, police opened fire, resulting in fatal injuries to one person. When a rival mob emerged at the scene and clashed with the first mob, one house and a godown were set on fire.

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