AHMEDABAD, June 27: An Indian court on Friday acquitted all 21 Hindus accused of burning a bakery with 12 Muslims inside in Gujarat in the first trial dating back to last year’s riots.

Judge H.U. Mahida ruled there was insufficient evidence for convictions after 35 of the 60 witnesses retracted their statements in court and some even claimed that the accused had saved their lives during the violence.

“This is not a fair judgment as witnesses were not reliable and seem to have been given money to go back on the statements they gave to police,” said a Muslim leader in Gujarat’s Vadodara city.—AFP

Opinion

Editorial

GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...
Centre vs provinces
Updated 10 Jun, 2026

Centre vs provinces

The reason the centre finds itself in this position is rooted in its failure to expand the tax net and boost revenues.
Party in crisis
10 Jun, 2026

Party in crisis

THE young KP chief minister must be starting to realise just how thorny a seat he occupies. There has been a flurry...
Varsity woes
10 Jun, 2026

Varsity woes

FINANCIAL crises affecting public sector universities across Pakistan are now having an impact on academic...