The Hindu, May 1, 2009
Gujarat riot case: Chronology of events
New Delhi (PTI): Following is the chronology of the hearing of Gujarat riots cases in the Supreme Court, which today ordered setting up of fast track courts for holding their trial.
September 2003: NHRC and other NGO's approached Supreme Court raising doubts on the state government's impartiality in conducting investigation and trial in post-Godhra riots.
September 12, 2003: The apex court summons the Chief Secretary and the DGP of Gujarat.
September 19, 2003: Chief Secretary P K Laheri, DGP K Chakravarthi appeared before the court and their statements were recorded.
October 9, 2003: The court appoints Senior Advocate Harish N Salve as Amicus Curiae to assist the court.
November 21, 2003: The court stays the trial in nine cases in Ahmedabad, Godhra, Mehsana.
May 7, 2004: Court directs the Centre to provide protection to Raees Khan Azeezkhan Pathan of an NGO.
August 17, 2004: The Court directs the state government to take a re-look in the 2000 riots cases in which closure reports were filed and ordered the government to set up a Cell consisting of seven Range Inspector Generals who were supervising the 30 riots affected Districts to find out whether further investigation is necessary.
July 11, 2006: A senior Additional District and Sessions Judge of Delhi was asked by the apex court to go through the voluminous documents filed by NHRC and other parties to scrutinize the report given in respect of each case.
March 26, 2008: The court appoints a four-member Special Investigating Team headed by former CBI Director R K Raghavan to conduct investigation in these cases.
March 2009: The SIT filed the report in a sealed envelope.
March 2, 2009: Gujarat government and amicus curaie were given SIT report.
April 21, 2009: After 35 hearings on the case, the apex court reserves the verdict on the bunch of petitions.
May 1, 2009: Judgement pronounced for setting up fast track courts for holding trial of the cases.
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