Gujarat refuses to permit SIT plea challenging Kodnani's bail

The Gujarat Government has refused permission to the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team to challenge the bail given to former Minister Maya Kodnani in a post-Godhra riot case.
Kodnani, who was given bail by Gujarat High Court, was convicted in the Naroda Patia riot case - in which 97 people were killed - and awarded 28-year jail term by the trial court.
"We have taken a decision of not granting permission to SIT to file an appeal before the Supreme Court to challenge bail to Kodnani on the basis of some past judgements of the apex court," Law and Justice Secretary V P Patel told PTI here today.

Kodnani, who handled Women and Child Development portfolio in the then Narendra Modi Cabinet, was granted bail by the High Court on July 30 on health grounds.
Prashant Desai, Special Public Prosecutor representing SIT, said the State Government had sought his opinion on challenging Kodnani's bail in the apex court.
"When Mayaben Kodnani was granted bail by the High Court, the State Government sought my opinion on whether or not to file an appeal in the Supreme Court.

"Looking into the situation and facts of the case, I was of the opinion that there is a remote chance of success. Despite my opinion, the Gujarat Government has all the authority to go to the Supreme Court," Desai maintained.

The HC had granted bail to the former MLA considering her submission that she suffered from acute depression and tuberculosis, for which she is being treated at Ahmedabad City Civil Hospital.
Kodnani's sentence was also suspended till her appeal against the trial court order is disposed by the High Court.