Image of prosecutor shared as convict in Godhra train fire in 2002; Fact Check

A picture of a man sitting in a car is being shared on social media claiming that it was one of the men who caused the Godhra train fire in 2002 that triggered communal riots in Gujarat.

This will probably not get covered or even mentioned in mainstream media – “The Godhra Train Massacre Verdict”
This is Rafiq Hussain Bhathuk, a Muslim leader and owner of two petrol pumps in Godhra. He orchestrated the arrangement of petrol to set the Sabarmati Express on fire. pic.twitter.com/gXEQDOgxP8

— Swami Sarveshananda (स्वामी सर्वेशानन्दः) (@swsarveshananda) February 17, 2024

The post was shared on February 17, 2024 and the caption reads:

“This will probably not get covered or even mentioned in main stream media – “The Godhra Train Massacre Verdict. This is Rafiq Hussain Bhathuk, a Muslim leader and owner of two petrol pumps in Godhra. He orchestrated the arrangement of petrol to set the Sabarmati Express on fire.”

Similar posts were shared here  and here .

FACT CHECK

Following a request on WhatsApp, a simple Google search confirmed that Rafiq Hussain Bhatuk was convicted for causing the train fire but the image that appeared along with this news report was different. The image provided by Gujarat Police is different from the one that is being shared on social media.

Further search revealed that the image in this post was that of R.C. Kodekar, the Special Public Prosecutor who argued the case in the court and not of Bhathuk, the accused. This is evident from a Youtube video uploaded by news agency ANI in which the prosecutor told the media on July 2, 2022 confirming the news that Bhatuk was convicted. See the video here where he spoke in Hindi that the accused was sent to lifetime imprisonment by the Godhra Sessions court.

See the video here:

Hence, a wrong image of the prosecutor is being passed off as the culprit behind the 2002 Godhra train fire.

Claim: Image of Rafiq Hussain Bhathuk, a Muslim leader and owner of two petrol pumps in Godhra, who was convicted of providing petrol to set the Sabarmati Express on fire in 2002.
Conclusion: False. The image in this post was that of R.C. Kodekar, the Special Public Prosecutor who argued the case and not of Bhathuk.
Rating: Misrepresentation —