Overview

• The Supreme Court began final hearings in the 2002 Godhra train burning case, rejecting convicts' objections to a two-judge bench adjudicating the matter.
• Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Aravind Kumar ruled that a three-judge bench is only required when a high court confirms or newly awards the death penalty.
• The Gujarat High Court in 2017 commuted the death sentences of 11 convicts to life imprisonment, prompting appeals from both the state and the convicts.
• The Gujarat government is seeking reinstatement of the death penalty for the 11 convicts, while several convicts are challenging their convictions and sentences.
• The court is hearing detailed arguments on procedural, evidentiary, and sentencing issues, with proceedings set to continue on May 7.