Life Convict from Godhra Train Carnage Case Arrested in Pune After Jumping Parole

A 55-year-old convict from the 2002 Godhra train carnage case, who had been on the run after skipping parole in September last year, was apprehended in Pune district, Maharashtra, for theft, police reported on Monday. Salim Zarda, known for previously evading parole eight times, was captured by Pune rural police on January 22. He has been transferred to Nashik police for a theft case registered there.

Zarda was one of 31 individuals convicted in the Godhra train incident. He was serving time in a Gujarat prison when he was granted a seven-day parole on September 17, 2024, but failed to return. Inspector Dinesh Tayde of Alephata police station stated, "We arrested him and his gang members on January 22 for their involvement in thefts across rural Pune. During the investigation, his connection to the Godhra train carnage case came to light."

Godhra Train Carnage and Convictions

The tragic event occurred on February 27, 2002, when the S-6 coach of the Sabarmati Express was set ablaze at Godhra in Gujarat, resulting in 59 deaths and subsequent riots. Initially, 11 of those convicted were sentenced to death while 20 received life imprisonment. Zarda was among those initially sentenced to death; however, the Gujarat High Court later commuted these sentences to life terms.

Zarda and his associates were apprehended last month in Pune for allegedly stealing 40 tyres worth over Rs 2.49 lakh from a stationary truck on January 7. They were also linked to similar thefts in Manchar area of Pune and Sinnar in Nashik. Police recovered stolen items and a tempo truck valued at Rs 14.4 lakh.

Efforts to Track Parole Jumpers

Pankaj Deshmukh, Superintendent of Police, Pune rural, mentioned that Zarda has been handed over to Nashik rural police for a theft case registered at Sinnar police station. "We will seek his custody again for a theft case registered at Manchar police station," he added.

The Pune rural police have launched an initiative to locate convicts who have jumped parole or furlough. "Taking cognisance of the particular case of Zarda, we have initiated a drive to track convicts who have jumped parole and furlough," said SP Deshmukh. Within two days, they aim to determine how many such individuals are currently evading authorities across their 33 police stations.

Parole allows prisoners temporary release under specific conditions, while furlough is a periodic release without needing specific reasons. Both require adherence to set conditions during release periods.