Kodnani urges judge to recuse herself from case

Former minister Maya Kodnani, a convict in the 2002 Naroda Patiya massacre case, has appealed to special trial judge for the Naroda Gam massacre case Jyotsana Yagnik to step down from the case.

Kodnani, along with Babu Patel alias Bajrangi and Kishan Korani, filed an application to this effect before Yagnik on Friday. The court has posted the matter for hearing on December 26.

Kodnani, Bajrangi and Korani have been convicted in the Naroda Patiya case by Yagnik. The three, who are accused in the Naroda Gam case too, have challenged their convictions at the Gujarat High Court.

The trial of Naroda Gam case was being conducted in the special court of sessions judge S H Vora. However, sometime back, Vora was elevated as HC judge following which Yagnik started conducting trial of the case.

Special prosecutor in the case Gaurang Vyas said, "The three have sought the court to say 'Not Before Me' to the case because they were convicted by the same judge in the Naroda Patiya case. And an appeal against the same is pending before the HC wherein they have questioned the judgment."

In the Naroda Patiya case, Kodnani, Bajrangi and Korani have been sentenced to life imprisonment. While Kodnani was termed as the kingpin of the massacre, Bajrangi was sentenced to life imprisonment till death.

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