Gujarat ATS arrests mastermind of 2002 Godhra case

Ahemdabad: In a major breakthrough the Gujarat anti-terrorist squad on Wednesday nabbed Farooq Bhana, the mastermind of the infamous '2002 Sabarmati Express train-burning incident', fourteen years after the Godhra case.

The anti-terrorist squad Officials said that Bhana will be handed over to the Special Investigation Team (SIT), appointed by the Supreme Court, to investigate the case.

The Godhra case:

• The train burning incident took place on February 27, 2002 killing more than 60 people.
• The incident led to widespread riots in various parts of the state.

Statements by Anti-terrorist squad (ATS):

• SP Himanshu Shukla said that Farooq Bhana, an ex corporator of Godhra municipality, was arrested from Kalol in Panchmahal district.
• Officials said that Bhana is allegedly the main conspirator who had held a meeting at Aman guest house in Phoolan Bazar, adjacent to Godhra railway station.
• “Bhana had told in the meeting that the Sabarmati Express will be late and instead of 2 AM it would reach at 7 AM,” ATS officials said.