SC sets aside Gujarat HC order on damaged religious structures during 2002 post-Godhra riots

29 August, New Delhi

The Supreme Court Tuesday set aside the Gujarat High Court order asking the state government to pay for the reconstruction and repair work of religious structures damaged during the 2002 post-Godhra riots.

The court was hearing an appeal filed by the Gujarat government against an order of the High Court directing it to pay compensation to over 500 shrines damaged during the 2002 riots, triggered after the Godhra train incident. A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice P C Pant allowed the Gujarat government’s appeal challenging the High Court verdict.

Gujarat Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, told the court that, the state government was willing to pay from ex-gratia amount, for repair and reconstruction works of various structures, shops and houses. He said the court has accepted the scheme.