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Journalism of Courage
The special TADA court convicted four more accused in the 1993 serial blasts case of various charges, including transporting arms and ammunition from Shekhadi village in Raigad to Panvel.
Judge P D Kode first called accused number 18, Suleman Ghavate 43 and pronounced him guilty of participating in the Shekhadi landings of arms, ammunition and explosives. He was also convicted of transporting the contraband from Shekhadi to Panvel in a tempo along with co-accused Abdul Rehman Sheikh. The charges under Section 120 B of the Indian Penal Code IPC and Section 33 of TADA aiding and abetting a terrorist act were also proved against him.
8220;All the 45 accused who have been charged with participating in the Shekhadi landing can be divided into three groups 8212; 14 are from Raigad district, 24 are from Mumbai and five accused are Customs officers. Suleman is from Mumbai,8221; Judge Kode remarked.
Another accused Rashid Alware 44 was charged with transporting arms and ammunition in Shekhadi village. 8216;8217;Since he is from Raigad, the consequences will follow. He has been found not guilty of offence of conspiracy and sections under TADA. He has been found guilty under the Customs Act, as he was in Shekhadi. He was not aware about the contents of the boxes, as they were driven out of Wangani Tower,8221; said the judge.
Yusuf Khan 34 came next. Judge Kode said that Khan had been found guilty of participating in the landing of arms and ammunition and violating Section 3 3 of TADA.
Abdul Aziz 81 was charged on account of his involvement in both the Shekhadi landings. 8220;The charge of 120 B has been disbelieved. However, he has been found guilty under Section 33,8217;8217; said Judge Kode.
