The Gujarat government has refused permission to the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team to challenge the bail given to the former Minister, Maya Kodnani, in a post-Godhra riots case.

Ms. Kodnani, who was given bail by the Gujarat High Court, was convicted in the Naroda Patia riots case — in which 97 people were killed — and awarded a 28-year jail term by the trial court.

“We have taken a decision of not granting permission to the SIT to file an appeal before the Supreme Court to challenge bail to Kodnani on the basis of some past judgements of the apex court,” Law and Justice Secretary V.P. Patel told PTI here on Friday.

Ms. Kodnani, who handled Women and Child Development portfolio in the then Narendra Modi Cabinet, was granted bail by the High Court on July 30 on health grounds.

Prashant Desai, Special Public Prosecutor representing the SIT, said the State government had sought his opinion on challenging Ms. Kodnani’s bail in the apex court.

“When Mayaben Kodnani was granted bail by the High Court, the State government sought my opinion on whether or not to file an appeal in the Supreme Court.

“Looking into the situation and facts of the case, I was of the opinion that there is a remote chance of success. Despite my opinion, the Gujarat government has all the authority to go to the Supreme Court,” Mr. Desai maintained.

The HC granted bail considering her submission that she suffered from acute depression and tuberculosis.