Blasts trial: 100 convicted, 23 walk free after 13 years
The first phase of the prolonged trial in 1993 Mumbai blasts came to an end on Monday with the special TADA court convicting the last six of the total 123 accused, for triggering blasts in the Mahim causeway killing three and injuring six others.
By TNN |
MUMBAI: Finally, it’s over. The first phase of the prolonged trial in 1993 Mumbai blasts came to an end on Monday with the special TADA court convicting the last six of the total 123 accused, for triggering blasts in the Mahim causeway killing three and injuring six others.
After Monday’s order the number of total convicts has reached 100, while as many as 23 others have been acquitted in the long trial, lasting over 13 years. The court is now expected to begin pronouncing punishment to each of them.
On Monday, the court convicted Bashir Ahmed Usman Ghani Khairullah (accused No 13), Zakir Hussain Noor Md Sheikh (No 32), Feroz Akram Amani Malik (No 39), Md Moin Faridulla Qureshi (No 43), Salim Rahim Sheikh (No 52) and Abdul Khan alias Yakub Khan (No 36) on charges of conspiracy, aiding and abettment, weapons training and making bombs.
All the six travelled in a car to Mahim. While five of them hurled hand grenades at the fishermen colony at Mahim, the driver stood as a witness. The court found them guilty under Section 3(3) of TADA for aiding and abetting terrorist acts, travelling to Pakistan for arms training and attending conspiracy meeting.
The court, however, is yet to pronounce the quantum of punishment for the convicts, including Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt, who was acquitted of all major charges in the Mumbai blast case, but was found guilty of possessing weapons in a notified area.
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Dutt has since moved the court asking for leniency in punishment claiming he is the sole bread-earner of the family and he has already served 18 months in prison. The sentencing of the convicts will follow after they are allowed to make statements in the court.With this, the first phase of verdict involving conviction or acquittal of the accused concluded on Monday. According to special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, this is the first case in the country where 100 accused have been convicted in a single case.
The second phase of verdict which involves arguments by the CBI and defence lawyers on quantum of sentence would begin on December 11. In the third phase, designated judge PD Kode would award the quantum of sentence to each of the convicted accused.
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