It was a packed courtroom with anxious relatives inside and others waiting outside to hear the quantum of judgment.
The family members of the accused waited to see their loved ones before they were taken to the jail after the pronouncement of the judgment. Soon, they began venting out their frustration by shouting slogans against both the ruling BJP and social activists fighting for the riot victims.
“We are from poor families and there is no way that we can appeal in the higher courts as there is no resource for us to do that,” said Anita Parmar, wife of Vijay Parmar, one of the convicts. Parmar’s family is dejected and they think they are victimized as they did not have the resources to hire a good lawyer.
Inside the courtroom, former minister Maya Kodnani broke down upon hearing the judgment which sentenced her to 28 years in jail and termed her the kingpin of the riots.
She was later taken out of the courtroom by her husband who tried consoling her.
Welcoming the judgment eminent lawyer Mukul Sinha, who has been fighting cases of the riot victims said: “It is a landmark judgment and will set a trend for other riot cases in other parts of the country.” He said that this was the first time that someone in power has been convicted with such a harsh punishment.
Suspended IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt felt the judgment was an indicator of what he has been alleging till now. “The fact that a former minister is convicted is enough reason to conclude who have been the real preparators,” said Bhatt.