Gujarat announces ₹5 lakh each for families of 2002 Godhra train carnage | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Gujarat announces 5 lakh each for families of 2002 Godhra train carnage

Ahmedabad | ByHT Correspondent
Feb 14, 2019 11:41 PM IST

The Gujarat government on Thursday announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh each to the families of the 2002 Godhra train carnage. The decision comes more than a year after the Gujarat high court delivered its order in the case, drawing criticism from the Opposition.

The Gujarat government on Thursday announced a compensation of 5 lakh each to the families of the 2002 Godhra train carnage. The decision comes more than a year after the Gujarat high court delivered its order in the case, drawing criticism from the Opposition.

59 passengers — mostly(AP/File Photo)
59 passengers — mostly(AP/File Photo)

Fifty-nine passengers — mostly kar sevaks [religious volunteers] returning from Ayodhya — on board coach S6 of the Sabarmati Express were charred to death after the train was set on fire near Godhra railway station in central Gujarat on February 27, 2002. The attack on the Sabarmati Express had triggered state-wide communal riots which left more than 1,000 people dead.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“Seven victims were not identified. The kin of the remaining [52 victims] will be paid 5 lakh [each]. In all, a sum of 260 lakh will be paid,” said Gujarat’s minister of state for home, Pradeepsinh Jadeja.

On October 9, 2017, the Gujarat HC had commuted the death sentence to 11 culprits to rigorous life imprisonment and upheld the sentencing of 20 others to life term. It had also ordered a compensation of 10 lakh each to the victims’ kin, which was to be shared by the state government and the Indian Railways. Earlier, a trial court had convicted 31 people, while accepting the prosecution’s contention that there was a conspiracy behind the incident.

The opposition Congress criticised the BJP government over the delay in announcing the compensation and questioned the timing of the pay-out. “The court order came in October 2017. The pay-out is happening now because the BJP government in Gujarat has failed on all fronts,” Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said.

Refuting this charge, minister Pradeepsinh Jadeja said, “There has been no delay. We were just completing all the administrative processes.”

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal Arrest Live Updates, Bihar Board 12th Result Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On