Godhra carnage verdict in Feb

Nine years after the Godhra carnage that sparked communal riots in Gujarat, a special court will pronounce the verdict in the carnage case on February 19.

Designated judge PR Patel will pronounce the verdict next month after the prosecution and defence wrapped their arguments in September last year, special public prosecutor JM Panchal was quoted as stating in reports on Monday.

The Supreme Court had earlier stayed the verdict in the case, but lifted its order in October last year.

Fifty-eight people, mostly ?kar-sevaks?, were burnt to death in the Sabarmati Express train near the Godhra railway station on February 27, 2002.

The incident sparked communal riots across the state, killing about 1000 people.

The trial began in Sabarmati jail in 2009, where all the accused are lodged.