Asthana stated that the probe treated the train burning strictly as a criminal act, dismissing allegations that the inquiry was designed to benefit Narendra Modi. The February 27, 2002, mob attack killed 59 Hindu karsevaks and triggered widespread communal riots across Gujarat. The judicial process subsequently saw a special court convict 31 people in 2011, followed by a 2014 Gujarat High Court ruling upholding 11 convictions and acquitting 20 others. The Supreme Court of India ultimately affirmed these findings by dismissing appeals brought by the convicts.
Key points
Asthana asserted that the findings of the Godhra train burning investigation were conclus…: Asthana asserted that the findings of the Godhra train burning investigation were conclusively proven through forensic evidence in court.
The investigator rejected claims that the inquiry was politically steered to provide bene…: The investigator rejected claims that the inquiry was politically steered to provide benefits to Narendra Modi.
Continued attempts to cast doubt on the concluded legal case are driven by political moti…: Continued attempts to cast doubt on the concluded legal case are driven by political motivations according to Asthana.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
New Delhi: Rakesh Asthana, former Special Director of the CBI, who investigated the 2002 Godhra train burning, has rejected a passage in Sonia Gandhi's memoir 'Belonging: A Journey of Love' that calls the cause of the fire "disputed."
In an interview with ANI, Asthana said that the investigation into the incident had been completed and that forensic evidence had established the cause of the fire. He added that any continuing doubts about the findings were being raised "for political reasons."
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In her memoir, Sonia Gandhi writes, "The riots were triggered when four coaches of the Sabarmati Express were set on fire and 59 pilgrims died. The train was returning to the state capital Ahmedabad from Ayodhya, carrying Hindu karsevaks, volunteers for the Ram temple. The cause of the fire remains disputed, but the turmoil that followed spread to many parts of the state."
Reacting to the statement, Asthana said, "That is completely wrong, the investigation is authentic. It has been proved in…
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