Gulberg verdict: We achieved 'almost impossible', says former SIT chief

Stating that the cases of riots in the country have a very small conviction rate, former Special Investigation Team (SIT) chief R. K. Raghavan on Friday hailed the Gulberg massacre verdict, saying the impossible has been achieved.

"In riots cases there are a very few conviction, but in Gujarat we have achieved almost impossible," Raghvan told ANI.

He further said very few cases in the country have ended up in conviction as they have in Gujarat.

When asked for his reaction on the verdict awarding life imprisonment to 11 convicts, the former SIT chief said he is satisfied with the verdict.

"I am reasonably satisfied with the verdict. Of course, we had asked for the death sentence for many of them... which weren't given. The judge has his own reasoning for that. So, I have no complaints," he said.

Meanwhile, civil rights activist Teesta Setalvad dubbed the verdict in the Gulberg Society massacre case as a 'diluted and weak' judgement while stating that she would appeal against the same.

A special SIT court today awarded life imprisonment to 11 persons convicted for murder, 12 were given seven years imprisonment and one was given 10 years jail in connection with the Gulberg Society massacre case.