"Vadodara Sessions Court clears Shailesh Mehta and five others of charges after a 28-year-long legal battle." In a significant development, the Vadodara Sessions Court acquitted Shailesh Kanaiyalal Mehta, popularly known as 'Shailesh Sotta', along with five co-accused, in the Hullad riots case that dates back to September 24, 1995. The court's verdict came on September 27, 2000, overturning a one-year sentence handed to them earlier. The Hullad riots erupted during a water dispute between members of the Bharvado Panchayat and the local police on Kongreznagar Road. During the conflict, eight rounds of gunfire, baton charges, and tear gas were used by the police against the rioters, resulting in several casualties. A total of 28 individuals were charged with rioting and attempted murder. Over the years, the case was tried in the Sessions Court, where Shailesh Sotta and the other accused faced a one-year sentence. However, they appealed the verdict to the Guja

Author-Dr.Aishwarya Nair