2002 Gujarat Riots: News

The 2002 Gujarat riots was an inter-communal violence that was started on February 27. The riot between Hindu and Muslim ignited after a train at Godhra station was set up on fire, burning 59 Hindu pilgrims alive. Hindus blamed Muslims for the blaze. The riots resulted in the deaths of around 2000 people with more than 2000 injured and leaving 223 people missing

18 Jan 2024

Bilkis Bano

Bilkis Bano case: Convict requests more time to surrender

Govindbhai Nai, a convict in the Bilkis Bano gangrape case, has asked for a four-week extension to surrender, citing health and family concerns.

09 Jan 2024

Bilkis Bano

Bilkis Bano case: Rape convicts not home, says report

At least nine out of 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano gangrape case have gone "missing" from their homes in Gujarat's Dahod district, The Indian Express reported.

08 Jan 2024

Bilkis Bano

Got justice today: Bilkis Bano's family on Supreme Court verdict

A family member of 2002 Gujarat riots gangrape survivor Bilkis Bano has hailed the Supreme Court verdict quashing the Gujarat government's 2022 order that granted remission to her 11 rapists.

Bilkis Bano rapists to be re-jailed, SC rebukes Gujarat government

The Supreme Court on Monday quashed the Gujarat government's order to grant remission and premature release to 11 convicts in Bilkis Bano's 2002 gangrape case.

11 Sep 2023

Uddhav Thackeray

BJP invokes Bal Thackeray on Uddhav's 'Godhra 2' remark

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has sparked a controversy by suggesting a "Godhra-like" situation could occur after the Ram Temple's inauguration in Ayodhya in 2024.

19 Jul 2023

Teesta Setalvad

Gujarat riots: SC grants regular bail to Teesta Setalvad

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted regular bail to activist Teesta Setalvad, quashing the Gujarat High Court's order that denied her regular bail and asked her to "surrender immediately" earlier this month.

05 Jul 2023

Teesta Setalvad

SC extends activist Teesta Setalvad's interim bail till July 19

The Supreme Court on Wednesday extended the interim bail of activist Teesta Setalvad till the next hearing on July 19, NDTV reported.

01 Jul 2023

Teesta Setalvad

Gujarat riots: SC grants activist Teesta Setalvad 7-day interim bail

In a special hearing on Saturday night, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to activist Teesta Setalvad for seven days, staying the Gujarat High Court's "surrender immediately" order.

SC dismisses Sanjiv Bhatt's pleas for judge's recusal, additional evidence

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to grant permission to sacked Gujarat-cadre Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Sanjiv Bhatt to produce additional evidence before the Gujarat High Court to back his appeal against his conviction in a 1990 custodial death case.

03 May 2023

Bilkis Bano

Bilkis Bano case: Supreme Court decries bid to delay verdict 

The Supreme Court has expressed its displeasure over the alleged attempts by the Bilkis Bano gang-rape convicts to avoid the bench hearing pleas against their remission.

21 Apr 2023

Godhra

SC grants bail to 8 convicts in Godhra carnage case

The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to eight convicts in the 2002 Godhra train burning case, observing the period of their incarceration and their role in the crime.

21 Apr 2023

Kapil Sibal

Celebrate or despair: Kapil Sibal on Naroda Gam case verdict 

Rajya Sabha MP and senior lawyer Kapil Sibal criticized the Ahmedabad court's decision on Friday to acquit all the 67 accused in the two-decade-old Naroda Gam case.

18 Apr 2023

Bilkis Bano

What SC said on convicts' parole in Bilkis Bano case

The Supreme Court on Tuesday commented on the early release of the 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case, saying that the Gujarat government should have considered the gravity of the offense before taking the decision, reported Times of India.

27 Mar 2023

Bilkis Bano

Gujarat: Bilkis Bano gangrape convict shares stage with BJP leaders

One of the 11 Bilkis Bano gangrape case convicts, released prematurely last year, was seen sharing the stage with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including an MP and an MLA, on Sunday at a government program in Gujarat.

SC to form new bench to hear Bilkis Bano's plea

The Supreme Court (SC) announced on Wednesday that it would form a new bench to hear a plea challenging the premature release of 11 convicts who had gang-raped Bilkis Bano during the 2002 Gujarat riots.

JNU to fine students for dharnas, cancel admissions for violence 

The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi has come up with a new set of rules, under which it will impose a penalty of Rs. 20,000 on students holding dharnas.

14 Feb 2023

Central Government

I-T Department conducts raids at BBC's Delhi, Mumbai offices: Report

The Income Tax Department has started conducting raids at the British Broadcasting Corporation's (BBC) offices in Delhi and Mumbai, reported Economic Times.

SC seeks Centre's reply over appeals against banning BBC documentary

The Supreme Court issued a notice to the Centre following appeals challenging its move to ban the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Modi documentary: SC to hear petitions challenging ban next week

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear petitions challenging the Centre's decision to ban the controversial BBC documentary on PM Narendra Modi, titled India: The Modi Question, which delves into the 2002 Gujarat riots on February 6.

29 Jan 2023

Narendra Modi

Amid BBC row, Modi warns against 'attempts to create divisions'

Amid the ongoing tow over the controversial BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the latter warned against "attempts to divide" India on Saturday and asserted that such efforts would not succeed.

28 Jan 2023

Narendra Modi

BBC Modi documentary screenings: High-tension in top universities; many held

Tensions surrounding the controversial BBC documentary about PM Narendra Modi remain high across the country, with students at several universities attempting to screen it despite a ban.

26 Jan 2023

Narendra Modi

Support free press: US after India bans BBC Modi documentary

Calling India's move to ban the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi a matter of press freedom, the US State Department on Wednesday emphasized the significance of democratic principles like freedom of expression.

25 Jan 2023

Gujarat

2002 Gujarat riots: 22 accused of killing 17 Muslims acquitted

A Gujarat court acquitted 22 persons accused of killing 17 Muslims during the riots in 2002 due to a "lack of evidence," PTI reported.

24 Jan 2023

Narendra Modi

BBC Modi documentary: Congress, CPI(M) wing announce screenings in Kerala

A fresh controversy around the BBC documentary on PM Narendra Modi, titled India: The Modi Question, was triggered in Kerala after several political groups decided to screen the controversial documentary in the state.

Not familiar with BBC's Modi documentary, but shared values: US

US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said he was unaware of the controversial BBC docu-series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a press briefing on Monday.

23 Jan 2023

BBC

BBC Modi documentary: Opposition slams 'censorship'; shares alternative documentary links

Tearing into the central government, Opposition leaders have slammed it over the removal of the BBC docu-series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi from YouTube and Twitter.

India blocks videos, tweets of BBC documentary on PM Modi 

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) directed to block of YouTube videos linked to the BBC documentary on PM Narendra Modi, ANI reported quoting sources.

19 Jan 2023

BBC

BBC documentary on PM Modi propaganda, continues colonial mindset: MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday slammed the BBC documentary series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling it a propaganda piece furthering the colonial mindset which shouldn't be dignified with a response.

Pleas challenging release of Bilkis Bano's rapists adjourned to mid-February

The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned the hearing of the petitions challenging the remission to the 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano gang rape case to mid-February.

19 Nov 2022

Narendra Modi

On immunity to Saudi Crown Prince, US cites PM Modi

The United States (US) has cited Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi as an example while advancing immunity to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, accused of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's assassination.

18 Oct 2022

Bilkis Bano

Bilkis Bano case: Union minister Pralhad Joshi defends rapists' release

Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday defended the early release of convicts in the Bilkis Bano gang-rape case, saying it was done as per the rule of law.

SC grants Teesta Setalvad interim bail in Gujarat riots case

The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday granted interim bail to activist Teesta Setalvad in a case related to the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Teesta Setalvad bail: SC seeks Gujarat government's response by Saturday

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Gujarat government to file a reply to the bail plea of social activist Teesta Setalvad, who was arrested on June 25 for allegedly fabricating documents in the 2002 Gujarat riots case.

Bilkis Bano case: Mahua Moitra challenges convicts' release in SC

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra has moved the Supreme Court to challenge the release of the 11 men convicted in the Bilkis Bano rape case.

22 Aug 2022

Gujarat

Bilkis Bano convicts received frequent parole while witnesses cited threats

Housewarming, son's wedding, mother's knee replacement surgery, etc. were reportedly some of the reasons cited by 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case for requesting parole (temporary bail) despite witnesses' complaints to authorities about threats from convicts receiving "frequent parole".

21 Aug 2022

Gujarat

Bilkis Bano case: NHRC to discuss convicts' release on Monday

A weak after the release of 11 convicts sentenced to life imprisonment in the Bilkis Bano gang rape case, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is set to bring up the subject for "discussion" on Monday, The Sunday Express reported.

Revoke Bilkis Bano case convicts' release: 6,000 citizens urge SC

Over 6,000 citizens including bureaucrats, women and human rights' activists, historians and grassroots workers among others have urged the Supreme Court in a joint statement to revoke the early release of 11 convicts in Bilkis Bano case.

18 Aug 2022

Gujarat

'Faith in justice shaken': Bilkis Bano on rape convicts' release

Two days after the release of 11 men, who had been convicted of raping her during the 2002 Gujarat riots, Bilkis Bano has broken her silence on the same with a heart-rending statement.

#NewsBytesExplainer: Who is Bilkis Bano, Gujarat riots survivor

Eleven men sentenced to life for the brutal gang-rape of Bilkis Bano in the wake of the 2002 Gujarat riots were released from jail on Monday.

Bilkis Bano gang-rape case life-term convicts released, welcomed with sweets

All 11 men sentenced to life for the brutal gang-rape of Bilkis Bano in the wake of the 2002 Gujarat riots were released from jail on Monday and welcomed with sweets.

Gujarat court rejects Teesta Setalvad, RB Sreekumar's bail pleas

An Ahmedabad sessions court denied bail to activist Teesta Setalvad and ex-Gujarat DGP RB Sreekumar in a case of evidence fabrication linked to the Gujarat riots on Saturday.

16 Jul 2022

Narendra Modi

Teesta Setalvad, Ahmed Patel tried to topple Gujarat government: Police

The Gujarat Police has alleged that activist Teesta Setalvad was part of a "larger conspiracy" to depose the BJP administration in Gujarat during the 2002 riots at the behest of late Congress leader Ahmed Patel.

Teesta Setalvad, Sreekumar sent to 14-day judicial custody

Activist Teesta Setalvad and former DGP RB Sreekumar were sent to 14-day judicial custody by a magisterial court following the end of their police remand on Saturday.

Mohammed Zubair's arrest: Journalists shouldn't be jailed, says UN

In response to the arrest of journalist and co-founder of the fact-checking platform Alt News, Mohammed Zubair, the United Nations (UN) on Tuesday said, "Journalists should not be jailed for what they write, tweet and say."

Gujarat: SIT to probe conspiracy allegations against Teesta, two others

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) will investigate the allegations of forgery and conspiracy against former Gujarat DGP RB Sreekumar, former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, and activist Teesta Setalvad.

Gujarat riots: Meet Teesta Setalvad, the co-petitioner against PM Modi

Teesta Setalvad—a Mumbai-based journalist and activist is the secretary and founding trustee of the non-profit organization Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP)—which was founded after the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Modiji endured silently for 19 years: Shah on SC decision

Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the Supreme Court's decision in the 2002 Gujarat riots, which rejected a request for an investigation into a "larger conspiracy."

SC dismisses petition against clean chit to Modi in riots

A plea challenging the Special Investigation Team (SIT)'s clean chit to the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and others during the 2002 riots was dismissed by the Supreme Court on Friday.

Gujarat riots: SC to hear Jafri's plea on April 13

The Supreme Court on Tuesday fixed for hearing on April 13 the plea of Zakia Jafri, wife of slain MP Ehsan Jafri, challenging the Special Investigation Team's (SIT's) clean chit to the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the 2002 riots, saying it would not entertain any request of adjournment on the next date.

11 Dec 2019

Narendra Modi

Gujarat riots: Nanavati-Mehta Commission gives clean chit to Modi government

The Narendra Modi-led Gujarat government has been given a clean chit in the 2002 Gujarat riots by the Justice Nanavati-Mehta Commission.

23 Apr 2019

India

Provide Rs. 50L compensation to rape victim Bilkis Bano: SC

The Supreme Court directed the Gujarat government to pay compensation of Rs. 50 lakh to gangrape victim Bilkis Bano along with a government job and accommodation.

04 Mar 2019

Vadodara

Railway coach burnt to recreate Godhra incident for Modi's biopic

On Sunday morning, a railway coach was set on fire in Vadodara to recreate 2002's Godhra train burning incident for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's biopic, reports IE.

2002 Naroda Patiya case: SC grants bail to four convicts

The Supreme Court has granted bail to four convicts in the Naroda Patiya massacre case in Gujarat in which 97 people, most of them from a minority community, were killed by a mob during the 2002 riots in the state.

Gujarat riots: SC to hear plea against Modi in January

The Supreme Court today deferred till the third week of January the hearing on a plea filed by Zakia Jafri challenging the clean chit given by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in connection with the 2002 Godhra riots.

14 Oct 2018

Gujarat

Ex-VP Hamid Ansari raises questions about 2002 Gujarat Riots

While releasing a book written by Lt. General Zameer Uddin Shah, the man who had led the army response during the 2002 Gujarat riots, former Vice President Dr. Hamid Ansari raised questions about the civil administration and the police's failure to control the situation.

24 Sep 2018

Narendra Modi

Assam: Book's content on Godhra 'misleading about PM', FIR registered

An FIR has been registered against a well-known publishing house in Assam and three authors for content in the reference book for Class 12 students of Political Science.

27 Aug 2018

Gujarat

Godhra train-burning case: Two accused convicted, three others acquitted

A special court in Ahmedabad convicted two accused and acquitted three in the 2002 Godhra train burning incident, on Monday.

20 Apr 2018

Gujarat

Naroda Patiya: HC acquits Maya Kodnani, upholds Babu Bajrangi's conviction

The Gujarat HC has acquitted former BJP minister Maya Kodnani in the Naroda Patiya riots case, ruling it had found no criminal conspiracy and that none of the witnesses was reliable.

20 Sep 2016

Uttar Pradesh

Censor Board refuses to clear documentary on Coca Cola

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) refused to clear a documentary titled 'Charlie and the Coca Cola Factory' on the grounds that the film was "misleading and [had] political motive".

27 Aug 2016

West Bengal

Decline in Communal Riots in BJP tenure: Naqvi

Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on 26th August, 2016, conveyed a decline of 200% in communal riots since 2014, when the BJP rose to power.