The Hindu : National : Ghansar wants to marry, pleads for leniency

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Saturday, Sep 16, 2006
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Ghansar wants to marry, pleads for leniency

Staff Reporter

MUMBAI: The hearings in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case became emotional again on Friday as one of the accused pleaded for leniency in sentencing.

Mohammad Shoib Ghansar, declared guilty by Special Judge P. D. Kode, pleaded before the TADA court that he be given the minimum sentence to enable him to serve his 75-year-old mother and marry the girl who had been waiting for him.

He was found guilty under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act and the Indian Penal Code. On March 12, 1993, Ghansar planted a scooter laden with RDX at Zaveri Bazaar. The resultant explosion killed 17 persons and injured 57. The minimum punishment in his case is life imprisonment and the maximum is the death penalty.

Ghansar, bowing his head, told the judge: "I am from a well-behaved Indian family. None of my family members has any criminal antecedent, nor do I have. I was working as a salesman in 1992-93, am honest salesman. When I was in custody, there was no complaint against me. Even when I was taken out for medical treatment or to visit my old mother, I was disciplined. A girl, whom I love, has been waiting all these years for my return to marry me." He said: "I have a desire to look after my mother. I pray that I may be given minimum punishment to enable me to serve my old mother and marry the girl who has been waiting for me."

"God is with me"

Speaking to mediapersons, Ghansar said God was with him and he would get justice. He said God and his love were keeping him peaceful. He did not want to speak about the girl. "We have been in love for so many years. She has been waiting for me and has rejected all other proposals. I want to take care of her."

His lawyer, Farhana Shah will argue on the point of sentence on Monday.

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