Threats continue for judge who convicted Babu Bajrangi, Kodnani; No action yet!

Ahmedabad, Dec 11: Breaking her silence over threat calls and letters that she received from an unknown person earlier this year, former judge Jyotsna Yagnik, who tried the 2002 Naroda Patia massacre case, said on Wednesday that she wants authorities to take penal actions against the accused. The home department had upgraded Yagnik's security to Z level after Yagnik reported the threats and asked for extra security for herself and her family.

Yagnik, who had convicted former state minister Maya Kodnani, and VHP leader Babu Bajrangi along with 29 others, for killing 97 people of minority community , said that the state government should find the person (responsible for issuing threats) and penalise him.

On the sidelines of the launch event of ‘Wajra O' Force Brigade', Yagnik said, "I had told the government that you can withdraw security, but do something to this person who calls me up and gives me threats. After all, I have done my job as a judge ... carrying out administration of justice," she said.

Wajra O' Force Brigade, comprises a team of over 150 members, divided into 30 teams covering the whole of the city, and has been founded by Ruzan Khambatta, an entrepreneur and social activist.The foundation has been launched to ensure women's safety and to aid them socially , mentally, physically and also economically through skill development programmes, Khambatta said.

"Our objective is to give people socio-economic empowerment. We will counsel people in distress and develop their skills so that they become financially independent," said Khambatta, adding that Wajra O' Force will also be forming special squads for conducting gender sensitisation, orientation programmes for women's safety, self-defence and sexual harassment.