Court convicts three in serial blasts case

Mumbai, Oct 18 (UNI) The TADA court today convicted three persons for their role in serial blasts case that claimed 257 lives and injured more than 700 people on March 12, 1993 following the riots, which broke after the demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992.

The three accused -- Issaq Hajwani, his son Sikander Hajwani and Shanawaz Hajwani -- were found guilty of receiving arms training at Sandheri in Raigad district, which was organised by another blasts accused Sharif Abdul Gaffur and conducted by prime absconding accused Tiger Memon.

The designated TADA Judge P D Kode while pronouncing the verdict, cancelled their bail bond and directed the police to take the accused into custody.

Issaq was also found guilty of possessing 13 hand grenades and dumping the same in Kandalgaon creek in Raigad, which was later recovered by the police. Sikander had also assisted his father in the crime.

Ater he was pronounced guilty, Issaq Hajwani said, ''I am innocent. I have nothing to do with the charges against me.'' The three accused have been convicted under various sections of TADA, Arms Act and Indian Evidences Act.

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