At least two accused in the 2002 Godhra train burning case, who have been evading arrest, are now in Pakistan.

The Indian Express managed to speak to Salim Ibrahim Badam alias Paanwala, against whom there is an Interpol alert, and Ibrahim Dhantiya alias Kachuka in Karachi.

While police sources say that Paanwala and others enjoy patronage in Karachi, they deny it. When contacted, their families in Godhra claimed they have not been not in touch.

But a source said: “By now they have Pakistani passports and IDs. Getting a Pakistani passport is easy. Fleeing to Pakistan was a panic reaction but they know that if they come back, the police here won’t spare them.”

Rakesh Asthana, then the Baroda Range IG and in-charge of the Special Investigation team probing the Godhra train incident, says: “If they are in Karachi, then it proves what we have been saying all the time. Unfortunately, we cannot do anything there, it is up to the government in Pakistan now.” Police officials also say more red-corner notices can be issued if substantive information comes from Karachi.

“I want to come back tomorrow but they (police) will not leave me,” Paanwala told The Indian Express over phone from Karachi.

“Pakistan is a dangerous place. You have guns and cartridges available everywhere. I want to come back but I will not get justice,” said Ibrahim Dhantiya.

Gujarat police have long suspected that Paanwala and some others in the Godhra train burning case had fled to Pakistan. Paanwala, who used to have a paan shop near the Godhra railway station and would sell gutkha on trains, was named by the police in the chargesheet as one of the main conspirators who planned the fire that burnt coach S-6 of the Sabarmati Express on February 27, 2002.

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