Mumbai, India - Nine men were sentenced to life in prison by an Indian court on Friday for their part in an attack on a bakery that killed 14 Muslims during religious riots in the western state of Gujarat in 2002.
The convicted were among 21 people accused in the case in which a Hindu mob attacked a shop in the city of Baroda, burning alive all those inside.
Eight of the accused were acquitted due to a lack of evidence. Four others were missing.
Defence lawyer Adhik Shirodkar said all nine would appeal to a higher court.
Human rights groups say about 2,500 people -- mostly Muslims -- were killed in the Gujarat riots, some of the worst in India since independence, but official estimates put the figure at more than 1,000.
The riots erupted after 59 Hindus were burnt to death in a train compartment by a suspected Muslim mob.
The bakery, owned by the family of key witness Zahira Sheikh, was attacked by an armed mob of more than 1,500 people.
It is one of many cases filed by victims of the riots in various courts. More than 40 police officers are also under investigation for failing to adequately investigate cases relating to the killings.
Under orders from the Supreme Court, Gujarat's Hindu nationalist state government has to give a progress report on riot investigations -- which have become mired in charges of political interference and cover ups -- every three months.
State authorities have been criticised by human rights groups for their handling of the riots.