Zahira Sheikh

Victim or villain? Entirely depends on which way you look at her story.

Zahira Sheikh first came into news when her entire family was burnt to death in the 2002 Gujarat riots. Perhaps the person who most controversially dominated headlines, initially for her determination to fight those who burnt her family to death in the infamous Best Bakery, and later for doing a complete turnaround and denying any such incident.

The whys of what she did will remain in the public domain for years to come even if the courts manage to reach a decision.

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This frail-looking young woman has, through her actions, has triggered a debate on political accountability and corruption in India's socio-political fabric.