Guilty Rubina Memon gets relief

Mumbai, Sep 12 (UNI) Rubina Memon, the only woman among four members of the Memon family found guilty today by a TADA court for their involvement in the 1993 serial blasts in Mumbai, was granted relief on compassionate ground by Judge Pramod Kode when she pleaded for time to surrender.

Earlier, agreeing with the prosecution that there is no provision under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act to grant such a relief to an accused held guilty, Mr Kode did not provide any relief when the similar plea seeking one week's time for her to surrender was made by Yakub Memon, her brother-in-law.

The Judge, however, later granted her relief on humantarian grounds when she moved a written application, saying she needed time to surrender as she has to make arrangements for her two minor children and her ailing mother-in-law, Hanifa Memon.

Accepting her plea about two hours after pronouncing her and three others guilty, Mr Kode, while granting her time '' until further order,'' directed Rubina to to furnish a surety of Rs five lakh to the court. Mr Kode also directed her to attend the court everyday and if not, at least once in a week, until further order by the court.

Lawyers said the relief will last until the court passed order on the quantum of sentence to the four found guilty today. The sentence will be awarded after prosecution and defence completed their arguments which starts tomorrow.

Of the four Memon family members pronounced guilty today, Rubina is already out on bail, while the remaining three - Yakub, Essa and Yussuf - are in jail. Rubina's mother-in-law Hanifa, Suleman and his wife Raheen were discharged from the case today giving them benefit of doubt for want of evidence against them.

UNI XR MJ-SA RP VV1819