Two defence witnesses on Monday told a special court that former Gujarat minister Maya Kodnani was not a part of the mob which killed 11 Muslims in Naroda Gam area in Ahmedabad during the 2002 post-Godhra riots.
Kalu Bharwad and Mayur Patel, residents of Naroda Gam, told judge PB Desai that they were standing near Narayan Chawl from where they saw the mob moving towards Kumbharwaas.
Kodnani and other nine people, among the accused whom they knew, were not a part of this mob, the two witnesses said.
Kanu Bharwad, another defence witness who was examined, said several Muslim families fleeing the mob took shelter in Bharwadwaas locality behind his house.
Read: Kodnani deposes in Naroda Gam riot case, denies allegations
Among these were three prosecution witnesses - Abid, Makhsud and Yunus - who had told the court earlier that they saw Muslims being killed, and identified some of the accused.
Kanu Bharwad, however, said in his deposition that they could not have seen the killings, as they had taken shelter in Bharwadwaas for most part of February 28, 2002, the day the massacre took place.
{{/usCountry}}Kanu Bharwad, however, said in his deposition that they could not have seen the killings, as they had taken shelter in Bharwadwaas for most part of February 28, 2002, the day the massacre took place.
{{/usCountry}}The hearing of the case will continue on Wednesday.
Naroda Gam is one of the nine riot cases from Gujarat which were investigated by the Supreme Court-appointed special investigation team.
Read: Maya Kodnani wants Amit Shah, others to prove she wasn’t at 2002 Gujarat riot site
Eleven people belonging to the minority community were killed in Naroda Gam, on the outskirts of Ahmedabad.
A total of 82 persons, including Kodnani, are facing the trial.