Sharpshooter from Dawood gang sentenced to life imprisonment

Mumbai, Nov 6 (UNI) A local court today sentenced a sharp shooter of the Dawood Ibrahim gang to life imprisonment for attempt to murder and illegal possession of arms case of 1984.

Additional Session Judge S P Davare found Anil Ramchandra Parab (45) guilty in a shootout case inside the Andheri Metropolitan Magistrate court. The judge also imposed a fine of Rs 7,000 and in default, further nine months simple imprisonment.

The prosecution case was that the accused had entered the Andheri Metropolitan Magistrate court on June 6, 1984 and opened fire on a key witness of a murder case, Hansraj Shah, who was standing in the witness box. Shah and two other police officials were injured in the firing.

Parab, who was arrested, secured bail in 1985 and escaped to Dubai. However, he was extradited from Dubai in 2003 alongwith Dawood's brother Iqbal Kaskar.

The sharp shooter pleaded before the court for a lenient punishment as he had three minor daughters to take care after the death of his wife. He also told the court that he has been wrongly linked to Dawood Ibrahim and had been acquitted in other cases.

However, Public Prosecutor Rohini Salian, confended that what had happened in the court room premises was similar to a terrorist attack. Considering the gravity of the case, he should be given maximum punishment, he argued.

In all, ten cases were registered against Parab including the court shootout case, murder, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy and illegal possession of arms. This is the first case when he has been convicted while another case is still pending. In all other cases, he has been acquitted.

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