Special court in India sentenced 31 people to life in prison Wednesday after convicting them of killing dozens of Muslims during communal riots in the western Indian state of Gujarat nine years ago.

Another 42 mostly Hindu defendants were acquitted for lack of evidence.

The convictions, on charges of murder, attempted murder and arson, involved the deaths of 33 Muslims who were burned in a building as they tried to escape a raging mob. Twenty-eight bodies were found at the scene and five others died later of their injuries.

"This is a great verdict in the history of combatting communal violence in India," said R.B. Sreekumar, who was director general of the Gujarat police intelligence bureau at the time. "There were reports that the Indian system is failing by not protecting minorities, but this is a healthy outcome."

The 2002 communal riots, including the deadly house burning, were among the worst in recent Indian history. The catalyst was a train fire on Coach S-6 of the Sabarmati Express passenger train on Feb. 27 of that year in which about 60 people, mostly Hindu pilgrims, died.

Muslims, blamed for the fire, were then targeted by Hindus bent on revenge. During three days of rioting, more than 1,200 people, mostly Muslims, were killed.

The court action Wednesday followed the sentencing by a special court in Gujarat in March of 31 Muslims found guilty of setting fire to the Sabarmati Express train. Eleven were given death sentences and another 20 received lifetime prison terms, with 63 in that case acquitted.