Gujarat High Court: Adjourning the court till 25th July, 2016 and issuing notice to the respondents, the 2 Judges Bench of Harsha Devani and Biren Vaishnav, JJ charged all seven accused in the 2002 post–Godhara riots case for the offence of murder.
The Court maintained the part of the judgment of the trial court for acquitting Devabhai Samatbhai Bharwad and set aside the part of the judgment of the trial court for the accused Satabhai alias Haider Gela Bharwad, Naranbhai Samantbhai Bharwad and Udaji Ranchhodbhai Thakor and convicted them for the offence punishable under sections 302, 307, 323, 324, 325 and 326 read with section 149 of the Penal Code. For the conviction of Valabhai Gelabhai Bharwad, the Court held him guilty under Section 302, 307, 323, 324 and 325 read with section 149 of the Penal Code. The court also convicted Viththal alias Kuchiyo Moti Bharwad for the offence under sections 302, 324, 325 and 326 read with section 149 of the Penal Code; Mulabhai Gelabhai Bharwad under sections 302, 307, 323 and 325 read with section 149 of the Penal Code and Merabhai Gelabhai Bharwad under section 302, 307, 323, 324 and 326 read with section 149 of the Penal Code, hence calling the accused for questioning on the next hearing. [Valabhai Gelabhai Bharwad & 2 v. State of Gujarat, Criminal Appeal No. 1144 of 2011 With Criminal Appeal No. 1203 of 2011 With Criminal Appeal No. 1204 of 2011 With Criminal Appeal No. 46 of 2012, as on 27th June, 2016]
