Al-Umma leader, 58 others convicted in Coimbatore blasts case

Coimbatore, Aug 1 (UNI) A Special Court today convicted Al-Umma leader S A Basha and 58 others in connection with 1998 serial bomb blasts in the city while holding that the charges against People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader Abdul Nasser Madhany were not proved.

Delivering the much-awaited judgement in a packed hall, Special Court Judge K Uthirapathy found Basha, AL-Umma General Secretary Md Ansari and 57 others guilty of several charges, including criminal conspiracy and disturbing communal harmony, and under the Explosive Substances Act.

Mr Madhany, cited as the 14th accused in the case, got a reprieve as the Judge said the charges against him were not proved but pointed out that he was not acquitting the PDP leader.

Of the 167 accused, the Judge had so far pronounced the judgement on 60 and the verdict for the rest would be delivered later in the day.

The sentences would, however, be pronounced from August 6 onwards, after hearing the defence plea.

The Judge asked those convicted for minor charges like possessing bombs to file a bail plea on August 6.

In all, 58 people were killed and more than 250 injured in the February 14 serial blasts that shook this textile city, minutes before BJP leader L K Advani was to address an election meeting ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

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