HC to hear Maya Kodnani appeal from today

The Gujarat High Court will start hearing former state minister Maya Kodnani’s appeal against her conviction in the 2002 Naroda Patiya massacre case from Thursday. This follows directions from the Supreme Court to expedite the hearing after a victim of the 2002 riots had approached the apex court seeking cancellation of her bail.

The High Court last year granted bail to Kodnani on grounds of her medical condition as well as merit of the case.

The 60-year-old Kodnani was convicted and sentenced by a trial court in 2012 in the riot case. The special trial court had sentenced 30 people, including Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi. All the convicts have challenged the trial court’s order, but their cases are yet to be listed for disposal.

According to prosecution lawyers, the court is expediting Kodnani’s case due to the apex court order. They said in the last hearing they had reminded the court that there are other similar petitions which should also be heard together. Kodnani, who is also an accused in the Naroda Gam riot case along with Bajrangi, has challenged the conviction claiming contradictions in the versions of the witnesses.

Source:: Indian Express