The Special TADA court on Wednesday convicted three Tiger Memon aides in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case. Issaq Hajwani, his son Sikander and Shanwaz Hajwani, all residents of Mahshal village in Raigad, were sentenced for undergoing arms training at Sandheri.
Issaq, 77, who was arrested on April 1, 1993, and released on bail in 1995, was the first to appear before the court. There was high drama after Judge Pramod Kode found him guilty of all charges — conspiracy, undergoing arms training and possessing 13 hand grenades and later throwing them in the sea near Gandharwadi village.
Hearing this, an agitated Issaq shouted: “I am innocent, you know it well, still you have held me guilty. I suffer from a heart ailment and you are aware of the fact.” When Kode interrupted him and said his statement on the quantum of sentence would be recorded on Thursday, Issaq cried: “Hang me”. He was dragged away by the police.
Issaq’s son Sikander, who appeared calm before the verdict, also threw a racket when the court pronounced him guilty of arms training. “The police have falsely implicated me. Hang me to death,” he shouted. He was, however, acquitted of conspiracy and possession of 13 hand grenades and their disposal in the sea.
The third accused, Shanwaz, who was convicted for undergoing arms training, was acquitted of conspiracy.
{{/usCountry}}The third accused, Shanwaz, who was convicted for undergoing arms training, was acquitted of conspiracy.
{{/usCountry}}The special TADA court has till date delivered its verdict on 72 accused, of which 53 have been convicted and 19 acquitted.
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