Ahmedabad: A defence lawyer in the 2002
Godhra train burning case on Friday contended that one of the 31
convicts in the case was a minor when the incident took place
and thus would fall under the juvenile category.
"I have orally submitted before court today that
Ibrahim Abdul Samol, who has been shown as a 20 year old in
case records when arrested on September 1, 2004, was minor at
the time of Godhra train burning incident (February 28,2002),"
advocate A A Hassan who is representing Samol said.
He made the request today when the court met to hear
the prosecution and defence to decide on the quantum of
punishment for the 31 accused who were pronounced guilty for
murder and criminal conspiracy on Tuesday. Sixty three persons
were acquitted by the court in the case.
"I have relied on the case records and arrest memo by
the investigating officer while making the submission," the
advocate added.
According to Hassan, if Samol was 20 at the time of
arrest on September 1, 2004, then at the time of the incident
in February 2002, he would be below 18, that is, a minor, and
hence would fall under the category of juvenile.
"I have requested the court to enquire into the age of
Samol at the time of incident. The court has said that it
would be passing necessary orders on March 1," he said.
The court on Friday reserved pronouncing of quantum of
punishment in the case for March 1.
PTI
