The Supreme Court granted bail to a convict serving life imprisonment in the 2002 Godhra train coach burning case, noting that he has been in jail for the last 17 years.
A judge panel made up of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha took note of the request for bail made by Faruk Gaji's defence attorney, given the time since his arrest.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Gujarat government, opposed the plea and said usually stone pelting is an offence of minor nature, however, in the instant case, the train coach was bolted to ensure that passengers cannot come out.
On October 9, 2017, the Supreme Court dismissed his appeal. The applicant has requested bail on the grounds that he has been detained since 2004 and has served almost 17 years in prison. We direct the applicant to be granted bail subject to such terms and conditions as may be imposed by the sessions (trial) court in light of the facts and circumstances of the case and the role attributed to the applicant, the bench stated in its judgment.
The appeals against the conviction of several convicts are pending adjudication in the apex court.