Zakia Jafri, Widow Of Congress MP Killed In 2002 Gujarat Riots, Dies At 86
Zakia Jafri, widow of slain MP Ehsan Jafri, died at 86. She had sought "justice" for the 2002 Gujarat riots, accusing top officials of conspiracy. The case went till the SC.
Zakia Jafri, widow of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri who was killed in the 2002 Gujarat riots, dies in Ahmedabad at 86. Zakia Jafri fought for an investigation into the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2002 Gujarat riots, passed away today in Ahmedabad.
Jafri was the widow of Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, who, along with 68 others, was killed in the Gulbarg society during the riots.
Zakia Jafri spent years fighting legal battles, calling for an inquiry into the role of high-ranking state officials, accusing them of being part of a broader conspiracy behind the events of 2002. After her petition challenging the clean chit given by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to 63 people, including then-Chief Minister Narendra Modi, was rejected by a Magistrate court, she moved the matter to the Gujarat High Court. In 2017, the High Court accepted the SIT’s closure report, leading her to take the case to the Supreme Court.
In June 2022, the Supreme Court dismissed Jafri's appeal and upheld the SIT’s clean chit to the senior state officials. The Court also made contentious remarks about Jafri's co-petitioner, Teesta Setalvad, which led to Setalvad’s arrest by Gujarat Police on charges of fabricating evidence. She was later granted bail by the Supreme Court.
Setalvad posted on X: "Zakia Appa a compassionate leader of d human rights community passed away just 30 minutes ago!Her visionary presence will be missed by d nation family friends & worrld! Tanveernhai, Nishrin, Duraiyaappa, grandkids we are with you! Rest in Power and Peace Zakia appa [sic]."
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