In the Godhra train burning incident on 27 February 2002, a train carrying pilgrims ("karsevaks") from a VHP-organized ceremony at Ayodhya, was burnt by muslim mob, killing 59 people, including 25 women and 15 children. Jaideep Patel was present in Godhra to attend to the victims of the incident. He proudly told news reporters that he entered the burnt compartment even before the police did. He is believed to have had a role in the controversial decision taken by the Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Gordhan Zadaphia and the District Magistrate, Javanti Ravi, to send the bodies of victims to Ahmedabad. The charred dead bodies were handed over to him by the executive magistrate of Godhra, allegedly at the behest of his senior officers, to be transported to Ahmedabad. They were transported in 5 trucks, along with a police escort, to Sola Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, reaching there at 4 A.M. on 28 February.