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Terming Suresh alias Shehzad Netalkar as one of the main conspirators, special judge Jyotsana Yagnik sentenced him to 21 years life imprisonment after serving 10 years under section 326 (voluntary causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means) of the IPC.
On August 29, 2012, Netalkar was held guilty of murder (section 302), conspiracy and other sections of the IPC among 32 accused, including BJP MLA and former minister in Narendra Modi government - Maya Kodnani.
While pronouncing the sentence on August 31, the court had named Maya Kodnani as a kingpin of the massacre in Naroda area where 97 people were brutally killed. The court had sentenced her to 18 years life imprisonment after serving 10 years under section 326.
Seven other accused were awarded enhanced life imprisonment of 21 years and they will also have to first serve 10 years imprisonment under section 326.
Another high-profile convict in the case – Babu Bajrangi - had been sentenced to remain in jail till he dies.
As Netalkar had jumped his bail and was declared an absconder, the court had reserved the pronouncement of quantum of punishment till he could be brought before the court.
Judge Yagnik had also directed the Supreme Court appointed special investigation team (SIT) to form a special team to nab Netalkar.
Following a manhunt in more than six cities of Maharashtra and tracing him on the basis of his mobile phone locations, the special team finally nabbed him yesterday
from Nandurbar in Maharashtra and produced him before the court today.
Before hearing all the sides for the sentencing of Netalkar, the court appreciated the special team for nabbing the convict in a short time.
"Team of crime branch has done a commendable job and this court would like to make a special mention of it," said judge Yagnik.
As the lawyers who represented him before in this case were not willing to represent Netalkar for his quantum of punishment, the court arranged a lawyer for him from the
Gujarat state legal aid services authority.
"Every person, if he doesn't have a lawyer, is entitled for free and competent legal assistance and the court will ensure it," the judge said.
The public prosecutors had submitted for the maximum and exemplary punishment to Netalkar.
While personally making the submissions, a teary-eyed Netalkar repented his acts of 2002 and told the court that he jumped the bail because he he had to make arrangement for his son and daughter's marriages.
The court made it clear that he had been already pronounced convicted in the case and at this stage, it was hearing only the part of sentencing.
Chief minister Narendra Modi didn't spell out any apology for the 2002 riots, during his speech. But he gave indication that he wants this history to be buried. Addressing people before starting his fast on Saturday, Modi asked them to forget the past and be part of the development spree. His choice of words and tone of speech were aimed at conveying a sense of regret, especially to the Muslim community.
First Modi must answer where are the missing children of Gujarat...he must answer what happened in 2002, he must answer who killed Haren Pandya, he must answer that why no Lokayukta in Gujarat, he must answer what CAG report says about his corrupt...before the even think to be PM
On Modi becoming PM all convits of Naroda will be set free and rewarded. Modi never takes the things lying down. Gujaratis are waiting to see Mayaben, Amit Shah and Babu Bajrangi in Union Cabinet in 2014.
As a Pakistani reading this news I feel that Indian judiciary has set a very nice example showing that in the eyes of law all citizens are equal despite their religion. It will also give a strong signal to the fundamentalists not to use religion in Politics. I really appreciate and hope that in Pakistan also we get rid of fundamentalists and our institutions also become as strong as Indian.
Every secular Indian is waiting for the day when Mass Murderer Narendra Modi will be handcuffed and taken through the streets of Gujarat and finally hanged for all the misdeeds and murders that were conducted in Gujarat under his instructions.
I do not understand why these self styled 'secular' upstarts passes unilateral judgement about Modi's conduct and assume the role of hangman too....
This a fantastic day for secular india and a warning to politicians not to instigate riots. Innocent people died at the hands of this evil beasts and its about time a strong message is sent that those who participoate in this evil deeds will be punished. How these people can even sleep at night is beyond me. The horrors of communal riots is beyond comprehension and now hopefully the taskforce can look at those who organised recent and past riots and bring them to justice. The dead and their relatives deserve nothing less.
