High Court urged to treat 82 “so called” Muslim witnesses as accused, notice issued to SIT, further hearing next month

Ahmedabad, 19 August 2013

Hindu accused of Naroda Gam communal riot case have filed plea in Gujarat High Court to consider 82 “so-called-witnesses” of Muslim community as accused in the case for various charges of rioting including section 319 of CrPC. The High Court has admitted the plea and issued notice to Special Investigation Team(SIT). Further hearing will take place on 13 September.

Key witnesses like Nanumiya Malek, Madina Pathan, Mohammed Hanif Qureshi, Bismillakhan Pathan, Ganibhai Mansuri and Imran Pathan are part of a list of 82. The applicants had claimed that there were recorded testimonies of Muslim witnesses in which they admitted to have indulged into stone pelting, throwing acid bulbs and bottles, burning rags etc. Many government witnesses like police officials had also testified this. Independent Hindu witnesses had also testified before the court that some Muslims had indulged in rioting

Earlier, same demand was rejected in lower court by Principal City Civil and Sessions Judge Jyotsna Yagnik.