SIT tells HC: Kodnani was present at Patiya massacre scene

Former Gujarat Minister Mayaben Kodnani was present at the Naroda Patiya riot-affected area, where 97 people were killed in the year 2002, the Supreme Court-appointed SIT's lawyer told the court here today on the basis of testimonies of three witnesses in the case.
"Three witnesses in the Naroda Patiya riot case mentioned in their statements before the prosecution agency, the Special Investigating Team, that Mayaben Kodnani was present at the scene of riot in the Naroda Patiya area of the city," Special Public Prosecutor Prashant Desai told the Gujarat High Court division bench comprising Justice R R Tripathi and Justice R D Kothari.

Desai, who was arguing against the appeal of Kodnani and others who had sought discharge in the Naroda Patiya riot case, also said that Kodnani was involved in the conspiracy to carry out the killings, citing the Supreme Court orders in favour of his arguments.
The court is hearing appeals of convicts and the SIT as well as the victims.
Desai presented a map of the area to show the movement of a rampaging mob which had created havoc in Naroda Patiya locality.
The High Court will continue hearing the appeals of convicts, the SIT and survivors of Naroda Patiya riots tomorrow.

An SIT official said that convicts in the case had challenged their conviction, while the prosecution had sought enhancement of their sentences. Survivors of the riot had also demanded stricter punishment for convicts and conviction of around 31 others who were acquitted in the case.