Hearing of anti-Muslim riots: Indian court orders setting up of fast track courts

The Indian Supreme Court (ISC) on Friday ordered setting up fast track courts to hear cases of post-Godhra anti-Muslim riots, which left more than 2000 dead in 2002. The court, while vacating its stay order of November 21, 2003 on the trial of 2002 riots, directed that witnesses in the cases be provided security.
The court ordered setting up designated courts in Ahmedabad, Anand, Sabarkanta, Mehsana and Gulbarga districts in Gujarat state to hear the cases on day- to- day basis. Justice Arijit Pasayat of the apex court took up for consideration the report filed by Special Investigation Team (SIT) on riots headed by former Central Bureau of Investigation director R K Raghavan, which investigated the cases.
The apex court also said the SIT could recommend the cancellation of bail if it is considered necessary. Raghavan, while expressing his happiness over the verdict of the court said it will facilitate the work of the SIT in Gujarat. The SIT, which probed 10 cases including the Godhra train burning and riots cases, submitted its report before the apex court in March.