Indian court sentences 31 to life in prison over 2002 Gujarat riots

Indian court sentences 31 to life in prison over 2002 Gujarat riots

2011-11-10 07:33:28 GMT+7 (ICT)

NEW DELHI (BNO NEWS) -- An Indian court on Wednesday sentenced 31 people to life in prison for their role in the killing of more than 30 Muslims during communal riots in the western state of Gujarat in 2002, local media reported.

The violence took place on March 1, 2002, when the group allegedly set fire to a building in Sardarpura village, killing 33 Muslims. Although the judge ruled out any conspiracy to kill the victims, the Hindu suspects were found guilty of murder and rioting.

The court also acquitted eleven accused and let off 31 other suspects with fines of 25,000 rupees ($499) each, according to the Hindustan Times. The convicts are still able to appeal their sentences in a higher court.

The 2002 riots came shortly after the Sabarmati Express was set on fire on February 27 near the Godhra railway station, killing 59 people. Most of the victims were Hindu.

Earlier this year, a special court sentenced eleven people to death for setting fire to the train while 20 others were sentenced to life in prison. This was one of the largest number of death sentences given at the same time in India.

Overall, more than 1,200 people were killed during the Gujarat riots.

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