AHMEDABAD: Zakia Jafri, the wife of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri who was killed in the 2002 Gujarat riots, died in Ahmedabad on Saturday. She was 86.
The former MP was among 69 people killed inside Gulbarg Society in Chamanpura area of Ahmedabad on Feb 28, 2002, a day after the Godhra carnage in which 59 train passengers were killed.
Zakia was in the news for her 16-year-long litigation seeking the implication of then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi and 62 others for the alleged larger conspiracy behind the post-Godhra riots.In 2022, Supreme Court dismissed her plea against the clean chit given by the special investigation team (SIT) to Modi and others in connection with the riots.
Zakia breathed her last on Saturday morning at her daughter’s house in Ahmedabad. Her son Tanvir, who lives in Surat, said, “My mother was visiting my sister’s house in Ahmedabad. She went through her daily morning routine and was chatting with her family members when she complained of uneasiness. A doctor who was called in declared her dead around 11.30am.”
As the news about Zakia’s demise spread, social activist Teesta Setalvad, who stood beside her in the legal battle, posted on X, “Zakia Appa a compassionate leader of d human rights community passed away just 30 minutes ago! Her visionary presence will be missed by d nation family friends & world! Tanveerbhai, Nishrin, Duraiyaappa, grandkids we are with you! Rest in Power and Peace Zakia appa! #ZakiaJafri. (sic)”
Zakia’s quest for justice for her husband’s death began in 2006, and she unsuccessfully fought the legal battle for the next 16 years in three different courts.