Coimbatore blasts: 101 convicted;Charges against Maudhany not proved

Coimbatore, Aug 1 (UNI) Nine years after the Coimbatore serial bomb blasts rocked this textile city, a Special Court today acquitted Kerala-based People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader Abdul Nasser Maudhany of the charges, while convicting banned Al-Umma leader S A Basha and 100 others.

Delivering the much-awaited judgement in a packed court hall, Special Court Judge K Uthirapathy found Basha, Al-Umma General Secretary Md Ansari and 99 others guilty of several charges, including criminal conspiracy and disturbing communal harmony, and under the Explosive Substances Act.

However, the Judge said the five charges against Maudhany, including criminal conspiracy, provocative speeches and transportation of explosive materials from Kerala to Coimbatore, were not proved.

But, it was not clear whether Maudhany, cited as the 14th accused in the case, would be set free immediately. The Judge, following persistent pleas from his counsel for his immediate release, said he would take up the matter at 1600 hrs.

Of the 167 accused, the Judge pronounced the judgement for 102, before adjourning for lunch, and the verdict for the rest would be delivered later in the day.

As many as 45 of the accused against whom minor charges were proved, were asked to file their bail petitions on August six, from when the court would pronounce the sentences, as the charge of criminal conspiracy was not proved against them.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made in the area in view of the pronouncement of judgement and the prevailing tense situation. A battery of newspersons had descended on the city to cover the sensational case.

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