‘Thane blasts duo were not threat to country’

The Sessions court, which convicted two men for the 2008 Thane blasts, did not convict the duo under the act usually invoked against terrorists, as it was not proved that the blasts intended to terrorise. HT reports.

The Sessions court, which convicted two men for the 2008 Thane blasts, did not convict the duo under the act usually invoked against terrorists, as it was not proved that the blasts intended to terrorise. The court had acquitted the accused, Ramesh Gadkari and Vikram Bhave, of more serious charges of attempt to murder and criminal conspiracy and provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

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Additional Sessions judge NV Nhavkar observed that UAPA could not be applied as the acts committed by the duo were not a threat to the country, but a display of dissent against a play Amhi Pachpute, which allegedly satirises Hindu gods.