SC ORDERS FAST TRACK TRIAL OF 2002 GUJARAT RIOTS

The Supreme Court on May 1 lifted the stay on trial of 2002 Gujarat riots cases and directed the setting up of fast track courts for holding it on a day-to-day basis. The apex court ordered the setting up of designated courts for riot cases in Ahmedabad, Anand, Sabarkanta, Mehsana and Gulbarga districts. A bench headed by Justice Arijit Pasayat said it was necessary to hold day-to-day trial considering the fact that seven years have passed. The court took into consideration the report filed by Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by former CBI director R K Raghavan which probed the cases. Justice of Gujarat High Court will appoint expert lawyers in criminal trial as public prosecutors for the trial of cases. It would be open for the chairman of the SIT to seek change of public prosecutors if any deficiency was found during the trial.