Zakia Jafri, wife of former Cong MP killed in 2002 Gujarat riots, dies at 86

Ahmedabad: Zakia Jafri, the wife of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, who was killed in the 2002 Gujarat riots, passed away on Saturday in Ahmedabad at the age of 86.

Ehsan Jafri was among the 69 people killed inside Gulbarg Society, a Muslim neighborhood in Ahmedabad, on February 28, 2002, a day after the Sabarmati Express train was set on fire in Godhra, resulting in the deaths of 59 'karsevaks' returning from Ayodhya. This incident triggered widespread rioting across the state.

Zakia Jafri made national headlines for her legal battle, which reached the Supreme Court, in an effort to hold top political leaders accountable for their role in the riots following the Godhra train burning.

"My mother was visiting my sister's house in Ahmedabad. She completed her morning routine and was chatting with family when she suddenly complained of feeling uneasy. The doctor who was called in declared her dead at around 11:30 am," her son, Tanveer Jafri, told PTI.

"Zakia Appa, a compassionate leader of the human rights community, passed away just 30 minutes ago! Her visionary presence will be missed by the nation, family, friends, and the world. Tanveer Bhai, Nishrin, Duraiyaappa, and grandkids, we are with you! Rest in Power and Peace, Zakia Appa!" social activist Teesta Setalvad, who was a co-complainant in Jafri’s protest petition in the Supreme Court, posted on X.