Gulbarg massacre: Quantum of punishment likely to be pronounced today

A special Ahmedabad court, which convicted 24 of the 66 accused in the 2002 post-Godhra Gulberg society riots case, is likely to pronounce the quantum of punishment today.

The prosecution had sought nothing less than death sentence or jail term till death for all the convicts while the defence lawyers contested that the incident was spontaneous and there were enough provocations for it.

Judge PB Desai had earlier on June 2 convicted 11 persons of offences including murder, while 13 others were charged with lesser offences. The court had acquitted 36 others.

The hearing on quantum of sentence had earlier taken place on Monday. The quantum of sentence will be pronounced after conclusion of their submissions.

During debate over the quantum of sentence earlier this week, public prosecutor, RC Kodekar, had sought nothing less than death sentence or jail term till death for all the 24 convicts.

The court said there is no evidence of criminal conspiracy in the case, while dropping Section 120 B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Out of the 66 accused, six had died during the trial. Of the 24 convicted today, 11 have been charged with murder, while 13 others have been convicted for lesser offences.

The 24 convicted includes VHP leader Atul Vaidya. The quantum of punishment for those convicted in the case will be delivered on June 6.