146;93 blasts: Memon aide gets 10 yrs RI

Special TADA Court Judge P D Kode, today sentenced Shahid Nizammudin Qureshi, a close associate of gangster Tiger Memon, to 10 years8217;...

Special TADA Court Judge P D Kode, today sentenced Shahid Nizammudin Qureshi, a close associate of gangster Tiger Memon, to 10 years8217; rigorous imprisonment in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts. 8220;Usually the sentence for a single count is six to seven years, but considering his close association with Tiger Memon, I have given him 10 years,8221; said the judge.

However, Qureshi has already spent 11 years in custody. 8220;You are entitled to a set-off. Samaj gaye, bach gaye,8221; Judge Kode said.

The court also sentenced seven others, including a father-son duo, to prison terms ranging from five to ten years.

Qureshi was also ordered to pay a fine of Rs 25,000, failing which he has to serve six months in prison. He was found guilty under Section 33 of TADA for aiding and abetting terrorist activities on two counts 8212; participating in the Shekhadi landings and transportation, and visiting Dubai with the intention of going to Pakistan for training.

8220;He was a special man selected to accompany Memon in the boat to fetch the consignment of arms and deadly explosives. Only three or four had that chance to go with Memon,8221; the judge said. The court also noted that Qureshi had jumped bail once and had a fake passport case pending against him.

A father-son duo were also sentenced to prison. While Issaq, 78, got seven years8217; RI and was fined Rs 70,000, his son, Sikander, was sentenced to five years8217; RI and fined Rs 10,000. Issaq was found guilty of conspiracy, aiding and abetting terrorist activities and destroying evidence. Sikander was found guilty of using hand grenades and arms as part of a weapons training programme which he had organised at Sandheri.

Among the others who were also sentenced today was Shahnawaz Hajwani, who got five years8217; RI and was fined Rs 10,000; Janardhan Gambhas, a labourer, who got three years8217; RI under the Customs Act and a fine of Rs 25,000; Faki Ali Subedar and Abdulla Surti, who got five years8217; RI for aiding and abetting a terrorist act and were ordered to pay a fine of Rs 25,000 each for concealment of arms and ammunition; Sayed Ibrahim Kadri, who was sentenced to five years8217; RI.

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Meanwhile, actor Sanjay Dutt was present in court today along with eight others who are out on bail. He, however, left early after seeking the court8217;s permission as today was his father, Sunil Dutt8217;s, second death anniversary.