Gujarat's Naroda Gam massacre case: Verdict hailed with 'Jai Shri Ram' chants

AHMEDABAD: As the special SIT court pronounced the acquittal of all 67 accused in the Naroda Gam case, anxious family members and relatives jumped and cheered outside the main gate of the court. Chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ rent the air, and relatives embraced each other with tears of joy flowing down their faces.
Dozens of family members assembled outside the special court in Bhadra locality of Ahmedabad on Thursday morning as the accused in the Naroda Gam case were brought to court.A sense of anxiety marked the group as they monitored court proceedings on their mobile phones throughout the day.

Former Gujarat minister Maya Kodnani looked relieved as she was led out of the court after the verdict. Accompanied by a posse of police officers and lawyers, she exited the court premises with a serene look.

Radha Dhobi, who had been waiting outside the court since morning, began sobbing inconsolably after the verdict was pronounced. “I am so happy and relieved. This matter had been going on for over 20 years, and we all passed through difficult times,” she said, learning that her husband Rajesh had been acquitted.

A relieved Bhagwati Patel embraced her family members on learning that her brother Arvind Patel and brother-inlaw Mukesh Prajapati had been acquitted. She said the past two decades had been challenging for the family, but justice prevailed in the end.

Mitesh Thakkar, another accused who was acquitted, constantly sobbed as he spoke to his family members on the phone. “I am just very happy today. I have nothing more to say,” he said.