Compensation in Akshardham case: Guj govt opposes plea in SC

The Gujarat government has opposed in the Supreme Court a plea by six persons, acquitted by the apex court in the 2002 Akshardham terror attack case, seeking compensation for their 'wrongful' arrest, saying it would have a "serious demoralising effect" on the investigating agencies.

It said that since the trial court as well as the Gujarat High Court had convicted these persons for their alleged roles in the terror attack that had claimed 32 lives, the issue of "curtailment" of their personal liberty, which they are claiming, cannot be accepted.

On May 16, 2014, the Supreme Court had acquitted the six persons, including the three condemned prisoners, in the case, saying, "The story of the prosecution crumbles down at every juncture."

In its counter affidavit, the state government said that the probe agency had followed the law in charge sheeting these six persons, who were convicted by the designated POTA court, and their conviction was subsequently confirmed by the high court.

"When two courts having jurisdiction have appreciated the evidence collected against the petitioners and have recorded a judicial finding holding the petitioners to be guilty of the offences charged, the curtailment of the petitioners' personal liberty cannot be said to be accepted in accordance with law," the affidavit said.

It said, "Even after the functioning of the statutory authority conducting investigation being examined and accepted by two competent hierarchical courts if this court were to grant any relief it would have a serious demoralising effect on the investigating agencies throughout the country who would remain under threat investigating a situation in which in spite of their investigation being accepted by two courts they are held liable only on account of this court taking a different view of the evidence collected by them."

It said that such an eventuality would be "against public interest and interest of the nation".