16 convicted to life in Sadar Bazaar riots case

New Delhi, Sep 8 (UNI) Sixteen accused of the 1990 Sadar Bazaar riots in which eight people were killed, were today convicted to life imprisonment by a city court.

Additional Sessions Judge N P Kaushik also imposed a fine of Rs 4000 each on the 16 accused.

The riots occurred in the evening of November 14, 1990 in the Sadar Bazaar area of old Delhi when 15000 Muslims and Sikhs were carrying out a procession from Gurudwara Sisganj to Idgah maidan.

Leading the procession were Hamid Sagar and Master Nooruddin.

Some of the participants in the procession gave provocative speeches against the Hindus which sparked off the riots.

Eight people died in the riots while 32 were injured. About 42 vehicles were damaged by the rioters while many buses burnt down.

During the course of the trial, the court examined 41 witnesses.

On August 30, the accused were found guilty on charges of murder, unlawful assembly, obstructing public servants and rioting.

Of the 18 charged with the riots, one died during trial while one person, Afzal Hussain, has been declared a proclaimed offender.

UNI XC MSJ HS1830