Naroda Patiya riots convict Bajrangi gets temporary bail

The Gujarat High Court today granted temporary bail to Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Babu Bajrangi, convicted in the 2002 Naroda Patiya riots case.

A division bench of justices A S Dave and Sonia Gokani granted temporary release from jail to Bajrangi for treatment of an eye disease, from August 9 to 16.

In his plea before the HC seeking temporary bail, Bajrangi, presently lodged in Sabarmati Central Jail, said that there is 50 per cent blockade in his eye veins and he needs to be out on bail for the treatment.

He further stated in the plea that despite getting treated at a government-run hospital, he has developed partial loss of vision.

Earlier also, the High Court had given temporary bail to Bajrangi for his eye treatment. He had also been given bail three other times for medical treatment of his wife and father.

The VHP leader had been convicted by a special trial court in the Naroda Patiya massacre case and sentenced to remain in jail till death.

Ninety seven people were brutally killed by a rampaging mob in Naroda Patiya area of the city on February 28, 2002.

Along with Bajrangi, the trial court had convicted former Minister of State Maya Kodnani on charges of murder and criminal conspiracy and awarded her 28-year imprisonment.

Kodnani was last week released on bail by the High Court on the ground of her deteriorating health.

Besides Bajrangi and Kodnani, seven persons were sentenced to 31-year rigorous imprisonment and 22 convicts to imprisonment of 24 years in connection with the Naroda Patiya riots case.