Second most death sentences in single trial

With Yakub's sentence, the trial has seen the second highest number of convicts being given the death sentence in Indian judiciary's history, reports Mustafa Plumber.

When the TADA court pronounced the 12th death sentence in the 1993 serial blasts case on Friday, it created a record of sorts. The trial has seen the second highest number of convicts being given the death sentence in Indian judiciary's history.

HT Image

The Rajiv Gandhi assassination case holds the record for awarding the maximum number of death sentences in a single trial. A special Chennai court tried 26 people under special terrorist laws in 1999.

Two were convicted of murder but the special law made it possible for all to receive the capital punishment.

The court found the 26 guilty of involvement in the assassination and sentenced all to death. The accused appealed in the Supreme Court and eventually only one was executed.

Special Public Prosecutor in serial blasts case Ujjwal Nikam is confident the apex court will uphold the sentences. "Our case is watertight. It is based on eyewitness accounts, circumstantial evidence and confessional statements," he said.