2002 Godhra train coach burning case: Key accused held after 19 years

Almost 19 years after a mob torched a coach of Sabarmati Express at Godhra station in Panchmahal district of Gujarat, leading to the death 59 “karsevaks”, key accused Rafiq Hussain Bhatuk has been nabbed from Godhra town, police said on Monday.

Bhatuk (51) was part of the “core group” of the accused persons involved in the entire conspiracy. He has been on the run for the past 19 years, said Panchmahal Superintendent of Police Leena Patil.

Based on a specific tip-off, a team of Godhra police raided a house in Signal Falia area located near the railway station on Sunday night and picked up Bhatuk, Patil told sources.