2002 tiffin bomb case: HC enhances sentence of 4 to life term

Ahmedabad, Jan 24 (PTI) Gujarat High Court todayenhanced the sentence of four persons convicted under POTA inthe 2002 tiffin bomb blast case from 10 years to lifeimprisonment while acquitting one person.

A division bench of Justice Jayant Patel and JusticeH B Antani acquitted Ahmed Hussain Mansuri in the same case ofall charges.

The court enhanced the sentences of Anas Machiswala,Mohammad Hanif Pakitwala, Kalim Ahmed, Mohammad Habib Hawa.

These five persons had approached the High Courtchallenging the verdict of a special POTA court convictingthem in the 2002 tiffin bomb blast case in which 13 passengerswere injured and sentencing them for 10 years imprisonment.

The designated Pota judge Sonia Gokani had convictedthe five in May 2006 while acquitting 12 other accused in thecase.

They were convicted for planting bombs in tiffinsinside five Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) runbuses, which went off injuring 13 passengers on May 29, 2002.

According to Special Public Prosecutors J M Panchaland Kamal Panchal, they had submitted that all the five wereaccused of a serious crime and it would prove harmful it theywere let out.

They had also requested enhancement of their sentenceto the maximum available under the provision of POTA. MORE PTIPB ABC

They were convicted under section 3(1) and 3(3) of the Pota, IPC 120 (B) (conspiracy) and 307 (attempt to murder),explosive substance Act and Bombay Police Act 135(1).

Initially, 21 persons were charge-sheeted in thisconnection by the city crime branch. All were accused ofhatching conspiracy for riots reprisal. They were booked underspecial Pota laws, Explosive Substance Act as well as IPC.

Four persons were discharged by the POTA court andfinally trial was conducted against 17 accused.