The court had finally concluded the argument on the quantum of sentence on Friday, Last week after the submissions were made by both the prosecutions. A special SIT Court in the  Gulbarg society massacre has pronounced the quantum of sentence to the 24 convicts. 11 accused for murder got Lifetime imprisonment, and remaining 12 were awarded a jail sentence of seven years. 1 more convict was sentenced jail for 10 years. But none of them got Capital Punishment.   

During the argument, the special public prosecutor and counsel for the Supreme Court appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT). R C Kodekar appealed for nothing other than death sentence or jail term till death for the 24 convicts.

The Gulbarg society was attacked a day  after the S-6 coach of Sabarmati Express was burnt near Godra station on 27th February where 58 “Kar Shevaks” were killed while returning from Ayodhya. The Gulbarg society massacre took place on 28th February, 2002 when 400 people attacked the society in the heart of Ahmedabad and killed 69 residents including former Congress MP Eshan Jafri.

Advocate Teesta Setalvad, secretary of Citizens for Justice and Peace, who has been fighting for the families of  those who died in the massacre appreciated the judgment but expressed the desire to appeal against the lesser snetence for those who have not been awarded lifetime imprisonment.  She said, "We welcome the judgment but we are disappointed in the lesser sentence. We are not for revenge verdict but reformative justice. On compensation, don't know what judge said."

By Prakriti Neogi