2002 riots: SC refuses to extend interim bail for Maya Kodnani

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to extend the interim bail of former Gujarat minister Maya Kodnani who is a convict in the 2002 Naroda Patiya riots case.

Kodnani received interim bail to receive treatment for burn injuries, which allegedly occurred after she fell on a lamp.

The apex court has now asked Kodnani to file an affidavit stating the degree of burn injuries she suffered.

The bench comprising Justice HL Dattu and Justice SA Bobde had initially extended her interim bail till 24 February (today).

But today the bench refused to accept the medical certificate by treating doctors which had said the report was not to be used in court proceedings. The court had reportedly asked senior counsel Ram Jethmalani how a certificate that specifically said it was not for court purpose, could be placed before it.

“Would you like to file an affidavit on the percentage of the burn injuries suffered by her or we should ask the state government to file an affidavit after consulting the doctors?,” the court had asked Jethmalani.

Jethmalani had also told the bench that the doctors were ‘afraid’ of coming to court, after which the bench directed the senior counsel to place before it burn injuries certificate from a competent doctor. It had also asked her to seek regular bail from the high

Kodnani was sentenced to 28 years imprisonment following her conviction for her involvement in the Naroda Patiya massacre during the 2002 Gujarat riots.