Decision on Nasibullah tomorrow

Mumbai, Jun 28 (UNI) Additional Sessions Court Judge Abhay Thipsay will decide tomorrow whether to send Nasibullah, younger brother of Zahira Sheikh, prime witness and perjury accused in the best bakery case, in the custody of ''Probationary Officer''. The decision could not be taken today as his advocate was not present in the court.

As soon as the court assembled for day's proceeding, Nasibullah was called, however his advocate Umesh Deshpande was not present in the court.

Judge Thipsay directed Nasibullah to contact his lawyer and asked him to remain present in the court. Nasibullah contacted Deshpande, however his advocate said since he is busy in some other court, he could not attend the session court today.

Judge Thipsay then adjourned the hearing till tomorrow and directed Nasibullah to ask the advocate to remain present in the court.

The district Probationary officer has submitted the report pertaining to Nasibullah in the court.

Earlier, the Prayas, probationary officer affiliated to the Tata Institute of Social Science had also submitted its report.

Mr Thipsay has observed that Nasibullah who was held guilty of perjury is not a 'habitual' criminal and considering his age, the court has decided to send him to a probationary officer instead of awarding the jail custody.

Nasibullah was held guilty for giving false evidence during the re-trial of best bakery case here.

On February 24, this year judge Thipsay had convicted nine persons and eight were acquitted of the 17 re-arrested persons after the acquittal of all the 21 accused by the fast track court Vadodara. While four others are still absconding.

The court has also convicted Zahira, her mother Sehrunissa and sister Sahirabanu for giving false evidence in re-trial. The Trio had to suffer three months rigorous imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs 500 each in default, they will have to undergo further RI for ten days.

Their sentence was suspended for a month following a request to challenge the order in the higher court.

UNI ST PM LS HT1612