SIT satisfied with Godhra verdict

Ahmedabad, Feb 22 (PTI) The Special Investigation Team,which was inquiring into the Godhra train burning incident,today expressed satisfaction with the verdict in the case.

"I have a mixed opinion on the judgement. I am satisfiedwith the Godhra train burning verdict, but I am pained as somany lives were lost due to the incident," SIT Head R KRaghavan told PTI.

On whether the SIT will challenge the acquittal of 63persons in the case in High Court, Raghavan said, "We willdecide it after we get a full copy of the judgement."

31 people were today convicted and 63 others, includingthe main accused Maulvi Umarji, were acquitted by a specialcourt here in the 2002 Godhra train burning incident in which59 people died and the violence triggered by it in Gujaratclaimed the lives of over 1,200 people.

The SIT was appointed by the Supreme Court to furtherinvestigate the Godhra train carnage and eight other importantpost-Godhra riot cases on March 26, 2008.

Trials in the eight cases of rioting, including theNaroda Patia case and the Gulburg society case, are at variousstages.