Paanwala said: “I earn around Rs 5,000 with difficulty. I pay Rs 2,000 rent here. Karachi is more expensive than Bombay. My visa has expired and I leave almost under hiding here.”

Paanwala has three children and his wife works as a maid, cleaning dishes, to make ends meet. “I couldn’t even come for my daughter’s wedding last year,” he said.

Ibrahim said: “The day Godhra happened I was on my way to Kandla port. I used to be a scrap-dealer there. I came back 10 days after the incident.” He has six children. “One of my sons wanted to study but now I can’t fund his education. He is in Class XI and wants to be an engineer.” His eldest son, 23, supports the family by working as a truck-cleaner. — With Anupam Chakravartty

What’s the case against them

• Main chargesheet in Godhra train burning case filed on May 23, 2002; 16 supplementary chargesheets later

• Of 141 accused, 106 arrested, four died, rest absconding

• Chargesheet names Paanwala as member of ‘core group’ that also had Maulvi Umerji, Razzak Kurkur, Bilal Haji, Farooq Bana. It is alleged they met at Aman Guest House in Godhra on February 26 to plan the attack on karsevaks returning by Sabarmati Express the next day

• Maulvi Umerji and Razzak Kurkur arrested, Bana and Paanwala are absconding

• Police made futile bid to arrest Paanwala from Fatema mosque in Godhra on February 18, 2004. They had shoes on as they tried to enter the mosque. This led to a clash with people there. Paanwala escaped, not seen since then

... contd.