A 16-year wait and an almost hundred per cent attendance during the court proceedings has left 81-year-old Khandwani wary of police’s role during the riots. “The only witnesses who deposed before the court in this case were policemen,” said Khandwani.

Alleging that a false and concocted story was floated against him and his brother, Khandwani said he would request the court to take cognizance of the Srikrishna Commission’s findings.

The Srikrishna Commission Report in its finding stated that the police version was “exaggerated, to justify their knee-jerk reaction of firing”.

Khandwani also alleged that the situation was such that the police were reeling under immense pressure to book high profile people.

“My brother had come to enquire about us in the police station, he too was held and booked in the case. They first book us under Sections 307 and then altered it after they realized it will not stand before the court of law.”

Six- time corporator, Khandwani along with four others was convicted under Sections 147 and 332 read with 149 IPC (rioting and voluntarily causing injury to a public servant, deterring him from the discharge of his duty). Magistrate S S Sharma, who was heading one of the two special courts set up to try the ‘92-93 riots cases, sentenced each of them to one year’s imprisonment and a fine of Rs 4,000.