Court reduces sentence of 1992 riots accused

Mumbai sessions court on Saturday reduced the imprisonment awarded to Shiv Sena leader Jayawant Parab for delivering hate speech during the December 1992 communal riots in Mumbai, from one year to two months.

Mr. Parab, along with late Sena leader Madhukar Sarpotdar and another Sena activist Ashok Shinde were sentenced to one year of imprisonment and fine of Rs 5000 each by special magistrate in July 2008. They were convicted for delivering inflammatory speeches which increased tension and led to the riots.

The relief granted to Mr. Parab on the grounds of old age and ill health. Mr. Sarpotdar expired in February 2010, while the trial was in progress.