Bilkis case: Spl court to pronounce judgement

Mumbai, Jan 13: A Special CBI court will pronounce judgement in the Bilkis Bano gangrape-cum-massacre case that occurred in the aftermath of Godhra train carnage on February 27, 2002 in Gujarat, next week.

Special Judge U D Salvi would deliver the verdict against 17 people accused of allegedly raping Bilkis Bano and killing 14 people of her family between February 28, 2002 and March 5, 2002 at village Radhanpur in Dahod district of Gujarat. Judge Salvi, who was assigned by the Bombay High Court to conduct the trial in the case following the Supreme Court's directive, was recently transferred. But, the High Court had asked Mr Salvi to conclude the verdict by December 31, last year.

However, he had sought three week's time to conclude the verdict from December 31.

The CBI had filed a chargesheet against 20 accused, including six police personnel, and two doctors.

However, the special court separated Dr Sangeeta Arunkumar Prasad's trial on November 5, 2004 due to unsound health.

The other accused were Jaswantbhai Chaturbhai Nai, Govindbhai Nai, Nilesh Ramlal Mordhiya, Shailesh Chimanlal Bhatt, Radheshyam Bhagwandas Shah alias Lala Vakil, Bipinchandra Kanaiyalal Joshi alias Lala Doctor, Kedharbhai Khimabhai Vohania, Pradip Ramanlal Mordhiya, Bakabhai Khimabhai Vohania, Rajubhai Babulal Soni, Mitesh Chimanlal Bhatt, Ramesh Rupabhai Chandana, Narpatsingh Ranchodbhai,Idris Abdul Sayyed, Bhikhabhai Ramjibhai Patel, Ramsingh Mitlibhai Bhabhor, Somabhai Koyabhai Ghori, B S Bhagora and Dr Arunkumar Ramkrishan Prasad.

They were booked under Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 302 (murder) and 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The cops were booked for allegedly entering into a criminal conspiracy, suppressing and destroying evidence, and falsifying records.

UNI