Dejection was written all over the faces of the Mulla family, most of whom broke down in the corridors of the Special POTA court that sentenced Ateef Mulla to 10 years’ imprisonment Wednesday.
The worry of facing prison life was evident on Ateef Mulla’s face as well, and he seemed to have suffered drastic weight loss in a week since his conviction, perhaps because unlike most of his fellow accused who are set to walk free now or in two years, Mulla will have to serve seven years and three months in jail.
“They targeted me because I had moved a petition for Saquib Nachan. I had nothing to do with this conspiracy,” Ateef said on Wednesday.
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“My father is going to go mad with worry. What if my son passes away when I am not around,” a worried Ateef said. His son who suffers from thalassaemia, a rare blood disorder, had undergone a painful bone narrow transfusion two months ago.
Mulla’s extended term is because he has served only two years and nine months in jail before being released on bail. The bulk of his fellow convicts, on the other hand, has spent close to eight years in jail. The reconviction tenure spent in prison is generally written off against the punishment.
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In 2003, the then 27-year-old Ateef Mulla was a jet-setting product manager of a pharmaceutical firm and the ‘popular’ former captain of the Wilson College cricket team and had “no reason to back any terror activity.”
Ateef was, however, picked up by the Mumbai Police for his role in the 2002-03 bomb blast conspiracy and accused of sheltering Pakistan citizens involved in planning the conspiracy and also for being in possession of an AK-56 gun.
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Hailing from Padgha, a village located 53 km north of Mumbai, Ateef has always had it smooth in life. People close to them say his father Naseer Mulla had to drop out of college to take over the family business and was hence very particular that Ateef gets good education. Of the 7,000-strong population in Padgha, almost 95 per cent are Konkani Muslims and in spite of it being home to well-off Muslims, the village is known to have puritanical streak.
Ateef’s growing years were spent mostly out of Padgha, and in Mumbai where he was studying. He even landed a job in the financial capital of the country. Talking about his life, Ateef fondly recollected how his frequent flying over the years made him eligible for an upgrade to business class everytime he flew. However, his high flying days came to an rough touchdown after he decided to change jobs. Before moving on to his new assignment, Ateef decided to take a four-month hiatus in late 2002.
Zeeshan Shaikh is the Associate Editor who heads The Indian Express' Mumbai reporting team. He is recognized for his highly specialized Expertise in analyzing the complex dynamics of Maharashtra politics and critical minority issues, providing in-depth, nuanced, and Trustworthy reports.
Expertise
Senior Editorial Role: As an Associate Editor leading the Mumbai reporting team, Zeeshan Shaikh holds a position of significant Authority and journalistic responsibility at a leading national newspaper.
Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on two interconnected, high-impact areas:
Maharashtra Politics & Urban Power Structures: Provides deep-dive analyses into political strategies, municipal elections (e.g., BMC polls), the history of alliances (e.g., Shiv Sena's shifting partners), and the changing demographics that influence civic power in Mumbai.
Minority Issues and Socio-Political Trends: Excels in coverage of the Muslim community's representation in power, demographic shifts, socio-economic challenges, and the historical context of sensitive political and cultural issues (e.g., the 'Vande Mataram' debate's roots in the BMC).
Investigative Depth: His articles frequently delve into the historical roots and contemporary consequences of major events, ranging from the rise of extremist groups in specific villages (e.g., Borivali-Padgha) to the long-term collapse of established political parties (e.g., Congress in Mumbai).
Trustworthiness & Credibility
Data-Driven Analysis: Zeeshan's work often incorporates empirical data, such as National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics on arrests and convictions of minorities, or data on asset growth of politicians, grounding his reports in factual evidence.
Focus on Hinterland Issues: While based in Mumbai, he maintains a wide lens, covering issues affecting the state's hinterlands, including water crises, infrastructure delays, and the plight of marginalized communities (e.g., manual scavengers).
Institutional Affiliation: His senior position at The Indian Express—a publication known for its tradition of rigorous political and investigative journalism—underscores the high level of editorial vetting and Trustworthiness of his reports.
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Ateef Nasir Mulla
