Asthana calls Sonia's Godhra claim 'wrong'

Former CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana dismissed Sonia Gandhi's claim in her memoir that the cause of the 2002 Godhra train burning fire remained disputed. Asthana clarified during an ANI interview that the investigation into the incident was complete, with forensic evidence confirming the cause of the fire. He asserted that any lingering doubts surrounding the findings were politically motivated.

The memo reads, "The riots were triggered when four coaches of the Sabarmati Express were set on fire and 59 pilgrims died. The train was returning to the state capital Ahmedabad from Ayodhya, carrying Hindu karsevaks." Asthana emphatically stated, "That is completely wrong—the investigation is authentic. It has been proved in the court of law.

Even now, if someone is creating doubt about it, then it is for political reasons; there can be no other explanation for it." The train, carrying Hindu volunteers for the Ram temple, was returning from Ayodhya to Ahmedabad when it was attacked by a mob, resulting in the deaths of 59 individuals, including women and children. Communal riots subsequently erupted across Gujarat, claiming hundreds of lives.

In 2011, a special court convicted 31 individuals, which the Gujarat High Court upheld in 2014 after dismissing appeals from the convicted parties.