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Welcoming the decision, senior advocate and JSM representative Mukul Sinha said, “We have been saying that the trial of all the cases barring the Godhra train torching case should be conducted within Gujarat.”
Three things, however, required care, he said. “First, the appointment of judges of the fast track court should be done either by the Gujarat High Court or the Supreme Court. Secondly, proper security should be provided to witnesses, and finally the prosecutors should be appointed in consultation with the victims,” said Sinha.
Prashant Director and Jesuit human rights activist Fr. Cedric Prakash said the lifting of the stay on trial of the cases and the direction to set up fast track courts for trial of the cases on day-to-day basis would come as a big relief to the victims in quest of justice. “However, the fact that these fast track courts will be set up in Gujarat itself and not outside the state is a dampener because given the track record of the state, many of the victims and witnesses fear intimidation and harassment,’’ said Fr. Prakash. He added: “Whether they will now be able to freely and fearlessly testify in these fast track courts in Gujarat will have to be seen.” He, however, expressed hope that truth will ultimately come out and justice be done to the victims.
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