GB blast convict's punishment to be announced today

, April 18: The Pune sessions

on Thursday will announce the quantum of

for Himayat Baig, the main accused in the German Bakery

who was convicted for murder, criminal conspiracy and other charges on Monday.

Baig, who had provided the logistical support for the blast in the only accused arrested in the case so far. He was taken to custody in September 2010. At least seventeen people were killed while over 60 were injured after the popular refreshment centre was rocked by a blast on February 13, 2010.

Sessions Court judge N P Dhote held Baig, a resident of Maharashtra, guilty under sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 435 (mischief by fire or explosive substances), 474 (forgery), 153(A) (promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race, place of birth, language and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and 120(B) (criminal conspiracy) of IPC. He was also convicted under various sections of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and Explosive Substances Act.

The Maharashtra ATS had filed a chargesheet in December 2010 and named five others as accused under the case. They include the alleged co-founders of Indian Mujahideen, the Bhatkal brothers, namely, Yasin, Riyaz and Iqbal.

While the prosecution had claimed that the conspiracy was hatched in Colombo in 2008, Baig had denied allegations that he knew the other accused.

OneIndia News