The Hindu : National : Memon driver planted RDX-laden jeep

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Thursday, Jul 19, 2007
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Memon driver planted RDX-laden jeep

Staff Reporter

The blast near Century Bazaar caused the maximum number of casualties – 100

— Photo: PTI

DEADLY DUO: File photos of Abdul Ghani Turk (left) and Mushtak Tarani, awarded the death sentence by TADA Court in the 1993 serial bomb blast case, in Mumbai on Wednesday.

MUMBAI: Abdul Ghani Turk (50), who was awarded death sentence in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case on Wednesday, planted an RDX-laden jeep near the Century Bazaar, which caused the maximum number of casualties — 100. He committed terrorist acts resulting in deaths, entered into a criminal conspiracy and caused murder.

Turk, who was a driver of the main accused, Tiger Memon, was also found guilty of preparing vehicle bombs at the residence of the Memon family at Al Husseini building in Mahim. For other offences, he was awarded sentences ranging from life imprisonment to two-year jail and a fine of Rs.1,75,000.

An unperturbed Turk said while being taken out of the TADA special court here: “This is Allah’s will and no one can do anything. There is a court above all of us.”Another accused who also received the death penalty, Mushtak Tarani (44) planted an explosives-filled scooter on Sheikh Memon Street in south Mumbai, which, however, did not explode, and a suitcase bomb in Centaur Hotel, which injured three persons.

Justice P.D. Kode said Tarani’s close association with Tiger Memon and participation in the conspiracy from the beginning till the end made him a fit case for death sentence under Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code. He was also found guilty of attempt to murder.

Other charges related to possession of explosives, damage to property and preparatory acts for terrorism under the IPC and the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act. A fine of Rs.3,87,000 was slapped on him. Defence counsel Farhana Shah said the accused suffered physical injuries and damage to property during the riots which followed the demolition of the Babri Masjid at Ayodhya.

A disgrace

Rejecting the argument, the judge said the people “murdered” in the blasts were not connected with the demolition in any way and the accused “killed innocent people.” “These acts have disgraced the Muslim religion and they were committed to develop inter-sectarian hatred.”

The court allowed the relatives of the accused to meet them after the hearing. The sentencing is likely to continue on Thursday. The court has sentenced 81 of the 100 convicted persons.

Among the remaining, some face death sentence. The other accused include film actor Sanjay Dutt, the former additional commissioner S.N. Thapa and members of the Memon family.

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