Chronicling a Tragedy

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CHRONICLING A TRAGEDY FEBRUARY 27, 2002: A mob near Godhra SEPTEMBER 18, 2008: Report by Nanavati railway station torches S-6 coach of Sabarmati Commission calls the train burning incident as Express killing 59 ‘kar sevaks’. FIR filed ‘pre-planned conspiracy’. The Commission against 1,500 people. also said the S-6 coach was torched by FEBRUARY 28, 2002 ONWARDS: Communal pouring of petrol inside it by the mob. riots break out in different parts of Gujarat. OCTOBER, 2008: POTA charges are lifted Over 1,200 people, mostly belonging to the FEBRUARY 12, 2009: HC upholds POTA minority community, are killed during riots. Review Committee's decision that the act MARCH 3, 2002: Prevention of Terrorism cannot be applied in this case. Ordinance (POTO) invoked against the FEBRUARY 20, 2009: Kin of Godhra train accused. burning case victims move SC, challenging MARCH 6, 2002: The Gujarat government HC's decision to drop POTA charges against appoints a commission to probe the Godhra the accused. Case is still pending. incident as well as the post-Godhra riots. MAY 1, 2009: SC lifts stay on trial of Godhra MARCH 25, 2002: POTO suspended due to and all other cases being probed by the SIT. pressure from Centre. JUNE 1, 2009: Godhra train carnage trial MAY 27, 2002: First chargesheet filed against begins inside Sabarmati Central jail in 54 accused. Ahmedabad. FEBRUARY 2003: POTO re-invoked as an act MARCH 27, 2010: Gujarat Chief Minister (POTA) against the accused. Narendra Modi appears before SIT and is NOVEMBER 21, 2003: Supreme Court stays questioned on his alleged role in 2002 Gujarat judicial proceeding of nine 2002 riot cases, riots for the first time. including the Godhra train burning incident. MAY 6, 2010: SC restrains trial courts to SEPTEMBER, 2004: A Committee headed by pronounce judgment in nine riot cases of former Supreme Court judge U C Banerjee Gujarat including Godhra train incident. constituted by Centre. A POTA review SEPTEMBER 28, 2010: Trial concludes, no committee arrives in Gujarat. pronouncement of judgment due to stay by JANUARY 17, 2005: Preliminary report of the the apex court. Banerjee Committee states fire in S-6 coach as DECEMBER 3, 2010: SIT gives Modi a clean chit. an ‘accident’. JANUARY 18, 2011: SC ban on verdict MARCH 26, 2008: A Special Investigation pronouncement by trial courts lifted. Team (SIT) is constituted by SC to investigate FEBRUARY 22, 2011: Special court convicts the Godhra train burning incident and other 31 accused and acquits 63 others in the train related riot cases. burning case..

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