Gujarat upgrades judge Jyotsna Yagnik’s security to ‘Z’ category

The Gujarat government on Thursday upgraded the security of former judge Jyotsna Yagnik, who presided over Naroda-Patiya riot case trial, from ‘Y’ to ‘Z’ category. On Wednesday, Yagnik had complained that government was not heeding to her demand for increased security. “Yes, we have upgraded her security to Z level,” Director General of Police (CID-intelligence) Pramod Kumar told a news agency. The order was received only today, he added.

Yagnik had alleged on Wednesday that government had “turned deaf ear” to her request for enhanced security.

“As it is said in court, ‘status quo’...so there is a status quo (in my case),” said the former sessions judge, who had recently received threat calls and letters.

Yagnik, as the special court judge in August 2012, had convicted 31 persons in the Naroda-Patiya case, which relates to the killing of 97 members of minority community in Naroda-Patiya area here during the 2002 Gujarat riots. Those convicted include former Gujarat minister and BJP leader <g data-gr-id="20">Mayaben</g> Kodnani and VHP leader Babu Bajrangi.

According to home department officials, Yagnik has been receiving threat calls and letters for a long time and had repeatedly requested the state government to upgrade her security to ‘Z’ level.