New Delhi: Four years after the POTA review committee said no terror charges were made out against the Godhra accused, the Supreme Court has now said that these recommendations are binding on the lower courts.
The SC also said that trial against the accused will have to proceed under the ordinary law.
And it seems finally, Nafisa Sheikh's prayers have been answered. Her two sons - Shabeer and Anwar - have been languishing in Sabarmati Jail for almost seven years.
After Supreme Court dropped POTA charges on Godhra train carnage accused, Sheikh says her sons have been falsely implicated and was now waiting for their release.
Saeed Umarji has been waiting for his father, who's a prime accused in the same case.
"Later but better. We are very happy about today's Supreme Court judgement. We hope for better development in future for Godhra accused," Umarji said.
Dropping of POTA charges has come as a huge relief for Godhra accused. But the trouble for them is still far from over because it's been seven years and the trial has still not begun and it does not appear that the trial could begin any time soon.
"For and foremost implication would be that all charges which were levelled under POTA would now be dropped so far as the trial of Godhra accused are concerned," Mukul Sinha, Advocate, Jansangharsh Manch.
The Narendra Modi administration knows that in election season, the embers of the Godhra fire can always be re-ignited.
(With inputs from Meghdoot Sharon)
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