Key Godhra accused, who set fire to Sabarmati Express coach, arrested from Malegaon
Imran Batuk, who was named in the case's second chargesheet, has been absconding since 2002.
The Ahmedabad Detection of Crime Branch on Wednesday arrested Imran Batuk alias Sheru, a prime accused in the 2002 Sabarmati Express case, from Malegaon. According to The Indian Express, Batuk has been absconding since 2002.
Joint Commissioner of Police JK Bhatt said Batuk is accused of setting the coach S6 of Sabarmati Express on fire at Godhra railway station. As many as 59 people were killed in the incident. His name was mentioned in the second charge sheet by the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team. In 2011, 31 people were convicted while the remaining 63 accused were acquitted. Of these, 11 were awarded death sentences and the rest got life imprisonment.
On February 27, 2002, a coach of the Sabarmati Express was set on fire at Godhra railway station. Of the 59 people killed, most were kar sevaks returning form Ayodhya. The incident triggered widespread communal riots in the state. The Anti-Terror Squad arrested conspirator Farooq Mohammed Bhana in May this year.
