3 Memon aides sentenced to death

One of those sentenced to death 8212; Tiger Memon8217;s driver Abdul Gani Turk, 51 8212; had parked an RDX-laden jeep in front of a Udipi restaurant in Century Bazaar, Worli. The blast killed 113 people and injured 227 8212; the highest casualties in a single explosion that day. The explosion was so powerful that a five-ton double-decker BEST bus passing by was lifted in the air and the upper deck was blown into hutments nearby. There were no survivors in the bus, and the bodies couldn8217;t even be identified

The other two Memon aides given the death penalty are Parvez Shaikh and Mustaq Tarani.

Rejecting Shaikh8217;s plea 8212; similar pleas were made by Turk and Tarani 8212; that 8220;the revenge against the demolition of the Babri Masjid and atrocities against Muslims8221; should be 8220;considered as a mitigating circumstance8221;, Judge Kode said: 8220;There is no material to show that he was directly affected by it the riots. It has been held that his act for taking revenge against the atrocities committed against Muslims is negative. These acts the blasts brought disgrace to Islam and created unnecessary enmity between Indian citizens. For committing such a heinous act, sentence of death has been announced.8221;

The judge continued: 8220;Those who died were not connected with the demolition of the Babri Masjid. They were citizens of Mumbai who were totally innocent.8221;

The mood in the courtroom was sombre when Judge Kode called Shaikh, 40 8212; accused number 12 8212; first to the dock.

Reading out the charges against Shaikh, the judge said he was convicted for planting an RDX-laden scooter in a busy lane in Katha Bazaar opposite Matruchhaya building, which exploded, killing four people and injuring 21, and causing loss of property worth Rs 37 lakh.

Shaikh was also found guilty of planting an RDX-laden suitcase with live pencil detonators in room number 1840 of Sea Rock hotel, Bandra. The explosion caused a damage of Rs 9 crore to property, but there were no casualties.

Judge Kode said Shaikh had been given the death sentence on three counts 8212; conspiracy, commission of terrorist act and murder. Tarani, 42, who was called next, was convicted for parking an RDX-laden scooter in Shaikh Memon street that didn8217;t explode and planting a suitcase filled with RDX in room number 308 in Centuar hotel, Juhu 8212; the blast injured two persons.

Shaikh was also found guilty of participating in the landing of arms, ammunition and explosives in Shekhadi and convicted for filling RDX into vehicles at Mahim a day before the blasts. Judge Kode said Shaikh as an active participant in the conspiracy from the beginning to the end and was associated with prime conspirator Memon.

On the charge of conspiracy, Tarani was convicted for attending a meeting organised by Memon at Hotel Taj Mahal on March 4, 1993 when the entire conspiracy behind the blasts was chalked out. Tarani was also found guilty of doing a reconnaissance of the Stock Exchange building and BMC building along with Memon and others to select targets to plant the bombs.

8220;He Tarani was a member of the conspiracy from February 1993 till the end. He was also associated with Memon. He was not affected by the riots, and therefore has no justification,8221; said Judge Kode. The judge sentenced Tarani to death on the count of conspiracy.

Turk was summoned last. 8220;Evidence against him shows deep association with Memon. He has been awarded the death sentence on the charge of conspiracy,8221; said Judge Kode. Turk was given the death sentence on two other counts too 8212; commission of a terrorist act and murder.