Pak national, associate get 7-yr RI for being LeT members

A Delhi court today sentenced a Pakistani national and his associate to seven years rigorous imprisonment for being members of banned terror organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and possessing RDX.

A Delhi court today sentenced a Pakistani national and his associate to seven years rigorous imprisonment for being members of banned terror organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and possessing RDX.

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Asif Ali, 28, who hailed from Faislabad district in Pakistan, and his associate Mohd Issa, 24, a resident of Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh, were held guilty by Additional Sessions Judge Dharmesh Sharma.

The court had on October 22 convicted both, who were arrested from New Delhi Railway station, under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Explosive Substance Act.

Pronouncing the order on sentence, the court refused to grant any leniency to the convicts saying they had no explanation as to how they possessed RDX on August 10, 2006, just a few days before the Independence Day.

"Terrorism in our country has reached alarming proportions and is affecting not only peace and tranquility in our society but also irreparably affecting economy of our country", ASJ Sharma said.

Besides the jail term, the court also imposed a fine of Rs 1.10 lakh on Issa and Rs 1.20 lakh on Ali who was also held guilty under the Foreigners Act for failing to show any valid travel document.