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UK nationals’ killing in 2002 riots: All 6 accused acquitted

Citing lack of evidence, a special trial court here on Friday acquitted all the six accused in a case related to the killing of three British nationals during the 2002 post-Godhra riots.

The deaths of the British nationals near Prantij town in Sabarkantha district had prompted the UK government to take a policy decision not to have active engagement with Gujarat government. UK resumed the engagement only in October 2012.

Representatives of the British High Commission to India were present in the court on Friday. “It seems there is no evidence on record from which it can be believed that the accused were members of the unlawful assembly and involved in commission of offence,” said principal district and sessions judge I C Shah in the order. The case had been probed by the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team.

The accused were charged with murder and other relevant offences under the Indian Penal Code. Three eyewitnesses produced by the prosecution (SIT) turned hostile, the court noted, adding that though the crime did take place, there was no one who could confirm the presence of the accused at the site.

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