1993 blasts convict dies

Issaq Hajwane (85),convicted in the 1993 serial blasts case,died in Sandheri,Raigad,on Sunday.

Issaq Hajwane (85),convicted in the 1993 serial blasts case,died in Sandheri,Raigad,on Sunday. Hajwane was one of the six convicts,including actor Sanjay Dutt,who were granted a month by Supreme Court to surrender before the special Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (TADA) court.

Hajwane,a resident of Sandheri,suffered multiple organ failure,his counsel Farhana Shah said,adding that he was also suffering from dementia. He was supposed to surrender by May 17. He had sought time for treatment. He died at his residence, Shah said.

Hajwane,a close aide of key mastermind behind the blast,Tiger Memon,was found guilty of participating in criminal conspiracy and arms training organised by Memon.

In 2007,the trial court Judge P D Kode sentenced Hajwane to seven years. The Supreme Court,however,enhanced his punishment to life imprisonment after the state government filed an appeal against the TADA courts judgment.

He had spent around four-and-a-half years in jail and was out on bail since 2008 due to health issues, Shah said.

Hajwanes son Sikander (60),also involved in the blast case,was found guilty by the TADA court. Sikander surrendered before the TADA judge G A Sanap on April 17. He has completed more than four years of his five-year sentence, Shah said.

Hajwanes counsel will now submit his death certificate to the court.

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