Gujarat High Court has granted regular bail to former state Minister Maya Kodnani, convicted in 2002 Naroda Patia riots case. Maya Kodnani had been granted temporary bail last February, but later the court had refused to extend the same.

In her bail plea, Maya Kodnani had submitted that as her appeal challenging the judgement of special court is pending before the High Court since December 2012 which is not likely to be heard in near future, she should be released on bail.

Maya Kodnani further contended that the Naroda Patia special trial court had relied upon the testimonies of many of the witnesses, which is not considerable as per the provisions of the law. According to her counsel, she has also given details of her deteriorating health.

AIR correspondent reports that a Special SIT court had awarded life imprisonment to then BJP MLA Maya Kodnani, Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi and 29 other convicts in 2012 in connection with 2002 riots at Naroda Patia in which 97 people were killed.

AIR Correspondent reports that Special Investigation Team, SIT, will appeal in Supreme Court, against Maya Kodnani's bail.