The Supreme Court announced that it will begin final hearings on the 2002 Godhra train burning case on May 6 and 7. A bench of Justice J.K. Maheshwari and Justice Rajesh Bindal instructed the counsels for the convicts and the Gujarat government to submit revised compilations detailing charges, court findings, and supporting evidence by May 3. The Court also noted that the hearing would require at least two weeks, with no other cases scheduled for May 6 and 7 unless directed by the court.
On February 27, 2002, the S-6 coach of the Sabarmati Express was set on fire in Godhra, Gujarat, resulting in the tragic deaths of 59 people. This incident triggered widespread riots across the state. The case has since been one of the most high-profile criminal trials in India, with several appeals now pending before the Supreme Court. In 2017, the Gujarat High Court upheld the conviction of several individuals involved in the incident, but it also commuted the death sentences of 11 convicts to life imprisonment. This decision has been contested by the Gujarat government, which is seeking to restore the death penalties for the 11 convicts. Several of the convicts have also appealed the High Court's ruling, challenging their convictions.
The Gujarat government, through its counsel, has appealed against the commutation of the death sentences of 11 convicts, seeking the restoration of the capital punishment imposed by the trial court. The state’s counsel contended that the severity of the crimes committed during the Godhra incident warrants the highest form of punishment. On the other hand, several convicts have filed appeals, challenging the High Court’s decision to uphold their convictions, arguing that they were wrongfully convicted and that their sentences were unjust.
The bench led by Justice J.K. Maheshwari noted that the matter was of utmost importance, involving not just the fate of the convicts but also significant societal implications. Justice Maheshwari remarked that the case would take substantial time to ensure a fair hearing, given the complexity of the issues involved. The court stressed that the detailed, “heading-wise” submissions from the counsel would assist in narrowing down the arguments and making the proceedings more efficient.
In an important observation, the bench highlighted the procedural necessity of compiling and presenting evidence and arguments clearly, ensuring that both the state and the defence present their cases in a structured manner. The court also made it clear that it would focus solely on this matter on the designated hearing dates, underscoring the significance of the case.
The Apex Court will proceed with the final hearing on May 6 and 7, 2025, where it will consider the appeals filed by the Gujarat government and the convicts in the Godhra train burning case. The bench has directed all concerned parties to file their revised compilations of submissions by May 3. The court’s decision to dedicate two full days exclusively to this matter reflects the gravity with which it is treating this case, ensuring that all legal arguments are fully explored before a final judgment is rendered.
The matter remains under close judicial scrutiny, and the court has left open the possibility of further steps depending on the outcome of the hearing.
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