The sentencing of 16 convicts, including those convicted for planting bombs in 1993 serial blasts in Mumbai, was on Tuesday adjourned till June 21 after they moved the TADA court citing a Supreme Court judge's observations.
In their application, the convicts have cited the remarks of Justice Markandey Katju recently in which the judge had raised questions about convictions under a repealed law.
Citing the observations, defence counsel Farhana Shah urged the court that the present case related to the applicants be referred to the Supreme Court or to the Bombay High Court as an alternative and proceedings be stayed till then.
Shah said that Section 1 (4) of TADA stated the Act would remain in operation till May 24, 1995 and from the next day its provisions were inapplicable.
Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam contended the statements made by the judge were merely "expressions of opinion by the apex court" and were not binding on the lower courts.
However, after hearing arguments from both sides the court adjourned proceedings till June 21.
{{/usCountry}}However, after hearing arguments from both sides the court adjourned proceedings till June 21.
{{/usCountry}}Actor Sanjay Dutt and three others convicted under the Arms Act, as well as family members of prime absconding accused Tiger Memon are among those who are not party to the application.
The TADA court has so far sentenced 76 out of 100 people convicted for their role in the 1993 serial blasts which killed 257 people and injured over 700.