Maya Kodnani was convicted of murder in 2012 and sentenced to 28 years in prison for her role in Naroda Patiya riots that saw killings of over 100 persons from minority community on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. PTI file photo
Maya Kodnani, a former BJP leader and a minister in the Narendra Modi government in Gujarat, who was convicted of involvement in one of the biggest massacres of Gujarat riots in 2002, has been given time till Friday to get the testimony of BJP President Amit Shah.
Kodnani was convicted of murder in 2012 and sentenced to 28 years in prison for her role in Naroda Patiya riots that saw killings of over 100 persons from minority community on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. She has also been accused in another massacre that led to 11 persons from the minority community in the adjacent Naroda Gam area on the same day.
Kodnani had moved an application before the trial court in April last seeking testimony from BJP chief as one of her defensewitness. She had claimed that his testimony was crucial to proving her alibi that at that time of riots she was with him about 10 km away from the place, initially at Gujarat Assembly and then at the hospital she ran.
The court had acceded to her request and while the others have been cross-examined, only the BJP chief’s testimony remained. Now, the trail court has given her time till Friday to get Amit Shah to testify.
However, Kodnani has moved another application before the court seeking more time, stating that she was unable to determine the address at which summons for the same could be served to Shah.
Kodnani was granted bail in the case in 2014 and as per Supreme court observation, the trial in the case needs to be complete within four months. Thus, it is crucial for her to get BJP chief to testify before the trial court. The next hearing in the case is slated for September 8, Friday.