Archive · 29 Jul 2025
Gujarat High Court Acquits Men in 2002 Post-Godhra Riots Case
In 2002, a train fire in Godhra led to riots.
A fast-track court convicted three men for their involvement, but the Gujarat High Court has now overturned the decision.
The High Court reviewed the evidence and found it wasn't strong enough to prove the men were guilty.
This means they were found not guilty after previously being convicted.
The original charges included rioting and arson, stemming from events that took place in Anand.
Gujarat High Court acquitted three men in a 2002 post-Godhra riots case.
The men were initially convicted and sentenced to five-year rigorous imprisonment by a fast-track court.
The High Court stated their conviction was not based on reliable evidence.
The case involved rioting, arson, and unlawful assembly charges.
The events occurred after the Sabarmati Express train fire in Godhra.
- Who
- Sachin Patel, Ashok Patel, and Ashok Gupta were acquitted.
- What
- Gujarat High Court acquitted three men in a 2002 post-Godhra riots case.
- When
- The High Court made the decision on Monday, nineteen years after the initial conviction.
- Where
- Gujarat High Court; events took place in Anand.
- Why
- The High Court determined the conviction was not based on reliable evidence.
Original Trial
High Court Ruling
Verdict Disagreement
Original Trial
Men were guilty and sentenced to five years
High Court Ruling
Men were not guilty, conviction was overturned.
- Case Type
- Post-Godhra riots
- Location of Events
- Anand, Gujarat
- Original Conviction Year
- 2006
- Acquittal Year
- 2023
- Original Sentence
- Five-year rigorous imprisonment
- Charges
- Riot, Arson, Unlawful assembly
- Victims in Train Fire
- 59 deaths