Naroda Gam case: Witness says he didn't see Bajrangi in mob

A witness has told a special SIT court hearing the 2002 Naroda Gam riots case that he did not see former Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi and VHP leader Jaideep Patel in the mob that allegedly killed 11 persons.
Both Bajrangi and Patel are the key accused in the case.
Kishan Kirstal, a defence witness told the court on Friday that he did not see the duo in the mob that attacked the members of the minority community living in the village following the Godhra train burning incident.
Kristal told the court of special SIT judge P M Desai that on the morning of February 28, 2002, when the mob attacked the victims, he went to Naroda Gam market twice, but found the situation normal.

At around 1.30 pm, however, he saw the mob and rioting in the area but Bajrangi, Patel and a BJP councillor from the area, Vallabh Patel, where not in the mob, he told the court.
Naroda Gam massacre is one of the nine major riots cases investigated by the SIT. Eleven persons belonging to the minority community were killed in Naroda Gam in 2002 riots during a bandh call given to protest the Godhra train burning incident.

A total of 82 people are facing trial in the case.
In September last year, the Supreme Court had given the special court six months to conclude the trial.

Among the accused is former BJP minister Maya Kodnani.