Won't take legal course as spending 23 years in jail was destiny: Goni

Days after a Rajasthan court acquitted him in a 1996 bomb blast case, a 57-year-old teacher by profession said he would not take any legal action for his wrongful confinement as it was his destiny and "Allah wanted me to teach the inmates inside the jail".

Despite heavy downpour, hundreds of people gathered in this township of Doda district on Saturday to welcome Abdul Ghani Goni on his return home after 23 years of imprisonment.

After reaching his hometown, Goni went straight to the main mosque and offered special prayers as thanksgiving. He then headed to the graveyard of his parents.

There, he broke down at the grave of his mother, who died three years ago after waiting for him.

"For wrongful confinement, I do not hold a grudge against anyone. I firmly believe Allah will take care of everything. The only regret is I could not fulfil my duty as a son to my mother," Goni told PTI.

"I remained positive and never let negative thoughts overpower me. I kept on reassuring my mother I will soon come out clean...hope she could be alive today."
Asked whether he would opt for the legal action for his prolonged wrongful detention, Goni said, "Not at all, as I said it was in my destiny and I am thankful to God I came out alive."