The religious riots took place 14 years ago when current Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat state. The massacre was one of the single worst incidents of a series of riots that swept across Gujarat, killing more than 1,000 people, majority Muslims.
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Ehsan Jafri, a former lawmaker for the Congress party, was among those killed at the housing society.
The massacre was among a wave of reprisal attacks that lasted three days across the western state after a train carrying Hindu pilgrims was set on fire. Those convicted of murder could be sentenced to death.
A separate case, filed by Ms Jafri, is attempting to link almost 300 incidents of murder during the riots and accuses Mr Modi’s administration of criminal culpability in the violence.
Prosecutors had been seeking life in prison for all of the accused for storming the Gulbarg Society complex and killing the Muslims who were hiding there.
More than 300 witnesses gave evidence during the years-long trial.
Celebrations erupted in the court room in Ahmedabad after the verdicts were read out, with victims and their families clapping and thanking the judge.
An investigative panel appointed by the Supreme Court concluded in 2012 that there was no evidence to charge Modi himself and he has always denied any wrongdoing.
The widow of Jafri, Zakia, has claimed that her husband called police and government officials repeatedly for protection while the mob gathered, but that no help arrived.
The remaining 13 were convicted of lesser crimes, while 36 others accused – including a local member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – were acquitted.
The riots were some of the worst since Indian independence. “This verdict is half justice to me”.
The Gulbarg Society massacre is one of 10 significant cases related to the Gujarat anti-Muslim riots being investigated by the Special Investigation Team.
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More than 100 people have already been convicted over the riots, including one of Modi’s former ministers who was jailed for instigating one of the worst massacres.
