7 more sentenced in 1993 blasts case, get 5 years to life

Mumbai, May 31 (UNI) The designated TADA court today awarded rigorous imprisonment to seven 1993 serial blasts convicts, ranging from life imprisonment to five years.

Among those on whom sentences were pronounced today were the driver of prime absconding accused Tiger Memon and others who are involved in the landing and transportation of arms, ammunition and explosives.

TADA court judge P D Kode sentenced Mohammed Rafiq Madi to six years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000. Madi, who served as Tiger Memon's driver, had actively participated in the transportation of arms and ammunition.

He had been held guilty under sections 3(3) and 6 of TADA. He was awarded five years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 25,000 under Section 3(3) and six years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 25,000 under Section 6 of TADA. The sentences are to run concurrently.

The court also awarded five years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 25,000 to Mohammed Yusuf Khan who had used his vehicle for transporting the arms and explosives from Shekadi in Raigad district to Mumbra in Thane district where they were kept in a godown.

The court, while awarding the sentence on him, observed that although he was charged by the prosecution under section 120B of IPC for participating in the conspiracy, the evidences produced before the court did not reveal any concrete proof about his involvement in the conspiracy.

Ashraf Ur Rahman alias Lalunhai, a septuagenerian convict, was awarded life imprisonment and a fine of Rs two lakh under sections 5 and 6 of TADA. He was found in possesion of 85 hand grenades, 350 electric detonators, and 3070 live cartridges of AK-56 rifles.

While awarding the life sentence to Ashraf Rahman, the court heavily came down on the prosection and said that because of lapses on the latter's part, the court was awarding lesser punishment although the convict deserved the death penalty.

Castigating the prosecution, Judge Kode said, ''You allowed the accused to go free by producing poor evidences. This sends wrong signal to the society.'' MORE UNI