In Gujarat, a special designated court today awarded life imprisonment for all 31 accused in the 2002 Sardarpura massacre case of post Godhra riots. 33 persons were burnt alive in this massacre during 2002 communal violence that broke out after the Godhra train carnage.

The court acquitted 42 of the total 73 persons accused in the case. Our Ahemdabad Correspondent reports that 11 were released due to lack of evidence, while 31 were given the benefit of doubt and acquitted on a solvency bond of 25,000 rupees each. They have been directed not to leave the country without the permission of court.

Our correspondent adds that this is the first post-Godhra riot case, probed by the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT), on which the verdict has been pronounced.

The 31 convicted have been charged with murder, attempt to murder, rioting and other Sections of IPC, while charges of criminal conspiracy against them were dropped by the court.