Godhra verdict: SIT to appeal against 63 acquitted

The Special Investigation Team that investigated the Godhra train burning incident on Tuesday indicated that it may go in for an appeal against the acquittal of the main accused and 62 others in the case.

"We will examine the prospects of an appeal. That's the most logical thing to do. I am not committing myself to any definite conclusion," SIT head R K Raghavan said reacting to the court convicting 31 people and acquitting 63, including main accused Maulvi Umarji, in the case.

He said he bowed down to the wisdom of the judge in acquitting 63 people but added, "Still, I have the right to have a look at the judgment, go through the statements, consult a bigger opinion and then decide the future course of action" and it was the "most logical" thing to do.

Raghavan said if the SIT is convinced that there is evidence, they may proceed further for an appeal but that is "too early, too premature (to say now)".

He said he have a mixed opinion on the judgment. "I am satisfied with the Godhra train burning verdict, but I am pained as so many lives were lost due to the incident," he said.

The SIT was appointed by the Supreme Court to further investigate the Godhra train carnage and eight other important post-Godhra riot cases on March 26, 2008.