The special trial court on Friday completed hearing on the quantum of punishment to the 24 convicts found guilty in Gulbarg society massacre case and adjourned the matter till Monday when the court is likely to announce a date for pronouncing its verdict on the sentence.
On Friday, final arguments on quantum of sentence to be awarded to the 24 convicts were concluded with the prosecution reiterating its demand for "exemplary punishment to the convicts" citing the nature of the crime.
"The arguments cannot continue endlessly. It has to end somewhere. I will announce the date for final judgement on quantum on Monday," said judge PB Desai interrupting a lawyer in midst of arguments.
Special public prosecutor RC Kodekar while making submissions on the sentence also urged the court to award compensation to the victims who suffered loss of their kith and kin and also their houses were burnt down.
Mr Kodekar also countered the argument of the defence lawyer who submitted that the Apex Court had converted death sentence to life imprisonment to even terrorist involved in atttack on American centre in West Bengal.
"There is difference between a terrorist act and an act of murder by the neighbours. Yakub Memon and Afzal Guru were either terrorists or supporters of an alien country's notions. In this case, I can say that 'Bhai ne bhai ko mara' (brother killed his brother). They were friends and neighbours of the victims," said Mr Kodekar told the court while wrapping up the arguments.
On June 2nd, the SIT court had convicted 24 people and acquitted 36 others, while dropping conspiracy and rape charges.
Of the 24 persons convicted, 11 have been charged with murder, while 13 others including VHP leader Atul Vaidya, have been convicted for lesser offences like arson and rioting. Among those acquitted included a local BJP municipal councilor and former Police Inspector (PI) of the area.
