NEW DELHI: The Gujarat HC on Monday reduced to 'life in prison' the death sentence given to 11 offenders in the 2002 Godhra train burning massacre.

The Gujarat HC also said the government and the Railways to pay Rs 10 lakh each to the relatives of those killed in the Godhra train burning massacre.

A special trial court had on March 1, 2011, offender 31 people and find not guilty 63 in the case. Of the 31 offenders, 11 were sentenced to death and 20 were given life in prison. All the offenders had appealed their conviction.

As per Monday's order, all 31 convicts will now serve out their lives in prison for attempt to murder and criminal scheme in setting a fire in a coach of the Sabarmati Express on February 27, 2002 at Godhra station.

In 2011, the 63 persons the Gujarat HC find not guilty included Maulana Hussain Umarji, who was christened by the Gujarat police as the organizer of the massacre. Out of over 130 indicts persons, 94 could be put on trial before the trial court. Even after the trial court sent its judgment on February 22, 2011, some of the accused were walk off with and put on trial.

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