The Supreme Court order asking the Gujarat government to set up six fast track courts to try the Godhra and post-Godhra riot cases is a welcome step. The court order has underscored the need for early completion of cases. The highlight of the order is to provide security to the witnesses to ensure that they depose freely and fearlessly. Such a bold step will not only instill confidence in the minds of the victims and their relatives, but will also repose public faith in the judicial system. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by R K Raghavan has already thrown light on the Godhra riot cases. The Supreme Court may also consider video recording of the statements made as confessions before the police. Such confessions could be concrete proof and even the death of any witness will not come in the way of legal proceedings against the guilty.
P Senthil Saravana Durai, via e-mail
