A significant development unfolded in Gujarat's Panchmahal district as authorities successfully apprehended a convict serving a life sentence for his involvement in the infamous 2002 Godhra train carnage case. The convict, identified as Sattar, had been on the run for a year after jumping parole, but law enforcement officials finally caught up with him.
Acting on a tip-off regarding Sattar's whereabouts in Limkheda, the parole furlough squad swiftly took action and arrested him on Saturday. Following his capture, he was handed over to the City B division police for transportation to Sabarmati central jail in Ahmedabad, where he will serve the remainder of his life sentence, as PTI reported.
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The Godhra train carnage, which occurred on February 27, 2002, saw two coaches of the Sabarmati Express engulfed in flames, tragically claiming the lives of 59 passengers. The incident sparked communal riots in Gujarat, resulting in the loss of over 1,200 lives.
Upon his arrest in March 2002, Sattar faced charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including murder, attempt to murder, dacoity, voluntarily causing grievous hurt, deterring public servant, as well as provisions of the Railway Act and Prevention of Damages to Public Properties Act.
In 2011, a special court handed down death sentences to 11 convicts and life imprisonment to 20 others in connection with the train arson incident. However, six years later, the Gujarat High Court commuted the death sentences of the 11 convicts to life imprisonment while upholding life imprisonment for the remaining 20.
