Gujarat’s Women-Child welfare and higher education minister Mayaben Kodnani today sent her resignation to Chief Minister’s office via fax after Gujarat High Court rejected her anticipatory bail application in 2002 Naroda Gam and Naroda Patiya riot case in which 96 Muslims were killed. The riots had occurred after mob of Muslims in Gujarat’s Godhra town burnt alive 58 Hindu pilgrims in a rail coach.

Mayaben’s resignation was accepted by the Chief Minister and was forwarded to the Governor office for further procedure. Mayaben surrendered at the Supreme Court constituted Special Investigation Team’s office (SIT), which is probing the riots cases afresh.

Delhi based BJP sources said they had asked Mayaben to resign in a wake of the court order, the state government’s spokesperson told reporters that they honor the court order and would study it. If a person is denied anticipatory bail she does not become a convict.

Welcoming the court’s decision, leader of the opposition in Gujarat, Shaktisinh Gohil said, “Mayaben had fired shots from her revolver, she had distributed swords, she led and provoked the crowd. She should be arrested immediately.”

Kodnani and VHP leader Jaydip Patel were granted bail by the sessions court. The bail orders were challenged by the Supreme Court appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the Gujarat High Court.

According to SIT, over a dozen Muslims told the police that Kodnani was leading rioters and was carrying weapons during 2002 riots. Kodnani has denied any role in the case.

Bad news for Maya Kodnani who belongs to Sindhi community arrived a day before Cheti Chand which is the biggest festival and new year day of Sindhi people.

Kodnani, is three-time MLA from the Naroda constituency in Ahmedabad.