Defence says SC order on TADA is a directive

Mumbai, June 21 (UNI) Sixteen of the 1993 Mumbai serial blast convicts who have challenged the validity of TADA citing a Supreme Court judgement, today made a strong plea to the TADA court here to refer the matter to the apex Court.

Defence counsel Harshad Ponda, arguing on behalf of the 16 convicts, said the Supreme Court observations on the applicability of TADA were sort of a directive to the designated TADA court.

Hence, there is no other option but to refer the matter to the Apex Court, he contended.

Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam will make his response petition of the 16 convicts later in the day.

UNI