1993 Mumbai blasts: Government sanctions Rs 22 lakh to secure hanging yard at Nagpur jail

MUMBAI: Maharashtra government has approved Rs 22 lakh to put up an overhead grill to cover the open space in the hanging yard cell of Nagpur jail where the 1993 Mumbai blasts case convict Yakub Memon is scheduled to be hanged on July 30.

A government resolution issued here today said that home department had sanctioned Rs 22,99,719 to build "ceiling-like" iron grill over the open space in the hanging yard cell of the jail.

"After the Supreme Court rejected Memon's curative petition, it was necessary to enhance the security at Nagpur Central Jail where Memon is lodged," the GR said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said his government had informed the governor that the previous governor had rejected Memon's mercy petition.

"The law and judiciary department has sent the file to the governor with a noting that no new point has been raised in Memon's (latest) mercy petition," Fadnavis told reporters here.

He added that the state government will abide by the Supreme Court's ruling. The apex court is expected to hear Memon's petition for stay to hanging on Monday.