7 sentenced to life for MP's murder

Ahmedabad, Feb 6 (UNI) A designated TADA court here today convicted and sentenced seven accused to life imprisonment for the murder of former Congress MP Rauf Valiullah in the Ellisbridge area in 1992.

Special TADA Judge Sonia Gokani also acquitted three others in the case.

Former Congress MP Valiullah was murdered in broad daylight near the posh Ellisbridge locality here on October 9, 1992. The case was initially investigated by the local crime branch, but later handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The seven who were convicted have been identified as Mohammed Faruq Sheikh, Mohammed Umar Pathan alias Fighter, Sajid Ali, Mohammed Amin Sheikh alias Chotli, Iqbal Hussain Sheikh, Salim Khan Pathan and Gulam Mohammed Sheikh. The court has also imposed a fine of Rs 12,000 on each accused.

The court sentenced an eighth accused, Abdul Firdaus Sheikh, to one month's rigorous imprisonment.

The court acquitted Javed Khan Pathan, Mohammed Tasalim Sheikh and Hashan Khan Pathan, giving them the benefit of doubt.

Two other accused -- Rasool Parti and Faridkhan Pathan -- are still absconding. A fourteenth accused, underworld don Abdul Latif, had died few years back.

The court upheld the arguments of special public prosecutor V C Shah that Mr Valiullah's murder was the outcome of a political conspiracy.

UNI