TADA court defers verdict of 100 convicts till May 9

Mumbai, Apr 19 (UNI) The TADA court today deferred announcement of its final verdict for awarding quantum of punishment to 100 blast convicts till May 9.

Designated TADA Judge P D Kode was supposed to award the punishment to cinestar Sanjay Dutt, members of the Memon family who had masterminded the serial blasts and other convicts but due to incomplete judicial work the order has been deferred.

Sanjay Dutt and his three associates, three women convicts Zabunisa Kazi, Mobina Baya and Raheen Memon were present in the court. The court has directed all the accused on bail to remain present on May 9.

Meanwhile, the court had today fixed April 27 as the date of delivering verdict on Sanjay Dutt and three other who had requested the court that they should be released under the probation of offenders act (POA).

In a related development Saleem Durani and women convict Zabunisa Kazi today moved an application under the POA, seeking court note to release them or award lesser punishment instead of sentencing them under the stringent act.

Majid Memon appearing for Durani contended that the accused was found guilty only for possessing fire arms in the notified area. He said that beside this prosecution has failed to prove any other charges levelled against him. He pointed out to the court that Durani was not involved in any criminal activities in the past and he is a first time offender hailing from a princely family of Rajasthan and his father was a session Judge.

Memon said that it was his misfortune that he was found in possession of the arms in the notified area, but same arms were not used for the commission of any offence.

He requested the court looking at his past family background and his involvement in the case that he be given lesser punishment or be released.

Advocate Farhana Shah, appearing on behalf of Zabunisa Kazi, moved a similar application and contended that Kazi is an old divorcee having two marriageable aged daughters, therefore on humanitarian ground court may direct to release her under POA.

While strongly opposing the plea, an anguished special public prosecutor Ujwall Nigam argued that court should not entertain this plea as it has been filed with an aim to delay the process of the pronouncement of the punishment. He said that both of them were convicted under the TADA act which has overriding effect over POA.

The court while hearing both prosecution and defense reserved its order till the first week of May.

UNI