Former cop gets first life-term in 146;93 blasts

Observing that 8220;it8217;s a serious case when a person entitled to protect citizens joins hands with terrorists8221;, Special TADA Court Judge P D Kode today sentenced former police...

Observing that 8220;it8217;s a serious case when a person entitled to protect citizens joins hands with terrorists8221;, Special TADA Court Judge P D Kode today sentenced former police sub-inspector Vijay Patil to life imprisonment in the 1993 serial blasts case.

Patil, who was then posted in Raigad district, was found guilty of allowing a truck laden with arms and ammunition to pass through to Mumbai after taking Rs 7 lakh as bribe for himself and his four subordinates. The four were sentenced to six years8217; rigorous imprisonment RI yesterday.

8220;He Patil should have been a leader for his subordinates, instead he chose to allow the truck to pass through,8221; the court said today. Judge Kode said Patil had been sentenced on two counts 8212; conspiracy and aiding and abetting terrorist activities 8212; and directed him to pay a fine of Rs 1 lakh for each count, failing which he would have to serve three years RI for each count. This is the first life term that the judge has pronounced since sentencing began in the case.

The judge said Patil and his subordinates had negotiated with co-accused Uttam Potdar, Mohammed Kasam Lajpuria, Salim Kutta and former Customs officer Jayawant Gurav to facilitate a safe passage for the vehicle after they had intercepted it at Gondgha Phata on January 9, 1993 8212;two months before the serial blasts in Mumbai. The truck was carrying arms and ammunition from the Dighi landings.

Judge Kode said: 8220;On an open road, the bribe amount was settled. It shows high courage on the part of the public servant for special personal gains by misuse of official post. If these things happen at the hands of a public servant on an open road it should be condemned.8221; He rejected the defence8217;s plea for leniency.

Six get RI for arms training in Pak

MUMBAI: The Special TADA Court on Tuesday sentenced six men to rigorous imprisonment for receiving training in arms and ammunition in Pakistan. While five of them 8212; Gul Mohammed Shaikh, Mohammed Hanif Shaikh, Mohammed Issaq, Shaikh Ibrahim Hussein and Usman Man Khan 8212; got six years RI, Mohammed Rafiq Shaikh was sentenced to seven years8217; RI as he had attended a meeting to discuss the blasts in March 1993.

Gul Mohammed Shaikh, who was arrested five days before the blasts, had hinted to the police about the conspiracy. All six were found guilty on two counts 8212; conspiracy and aiding and abetting terrorist activities. The court directed them to pay a fine of Rs 15,000 for each count, failing which they have to serve another three months for each count. The six men had gone to Pakistan via Dubai and underwent training in arms and ammunition, including rocket launchers. ENS