Date:30/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/30/stories/2006083008961200.htm

National

Parties to get sessions judge report on Godhra riot cases

Legal Correspondent

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has directed that the report of the sessions judge on 14 Godhra riot cases in Gujarat, submitted to the court on August 22 in a sealed cover, be given to the parties concerned.

The apex court in July directed the judge to examine all records to find out whether reinvestigation was necessary in these cases related to the 2002 riots after the Godhra train carnage.

When the matter came up for hearing on Tuesday, counsel for the parties pleaded that the copy of the sessions judge's report be made available to them so that they could make out their case. A Bench comprising Justices K.G. Balakrishnan, G.P. Mathur and R.V. Raveendranagreed and directed the Registry to give them copies.

The Bench is hearing petitions filed by the National Human Rights Commission, social activist Teesta Setalvad and some NGOs seeking reinvestigation of the 14 cases by the CBI and to shift the trial outside Gujarat.