The Godhra additional sessions court sentenced eight people to life imprisonment and three others to a rigorous imprisonment of three years for rape and murder of seven Muslims during the communal riots in Gujarat in 2002.

Godhra additional sessions court judge, HM Dholakia, pronounced the judgment on Tuesday. On March 1, 2002, a huge mob comprising about 100 people trapped several Muslims at the Halol taluka of the Panchmahals district and chased them. Seven people including two women, who attempted to flee through open fields, were trapped down by the rioters. While the five Muslim men were killed, two women, Shabnam and Suhana, were raped and then killed by the mob.

Madinabibi, the mother of 18-year-old Shabnam, however, managed to hide behind a tree and witnessed the heinous crime.