New Delhi: The special TADA court in Mumbai on Thursday sentenced gangster Ejaz Pathan and conspirator Shaikh Ali Shaikh Umar to rigorous imprisonment for 10 years and life imprisonment respectively for their roles in the 1993 serial blasts in the city.
Pathan was also asked to a pay a fine of Rs 2.25 lakh.
A one-time associate of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim, Pathan was present at the conspirators' first meeting in Dubai where it was decided that the demolition of the Babri mosque had to be avenged.
Pathan provided his men for the landing of arms and explosives on the Raigad coast. However, he was spared from a life sentence, as he was not aware of what was being landed beforehand. He was also not involved in the conspiracy in the later stages.
Judge Pramod Kode also said that Pathan's failing health was taken into consideration while sentencing him. Pathan, extradited from Dubai four years ago, suffers from a blood clot in his brain and will undergo surgery on June 26. The government has sanctioned Rs 2.5 lakh for the operation, the court was informed on Thursday.
Pathan was also convicted for illegal possession of three AK-56 rifles.
Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said the sentence was less than anticipated and the prosecution will contemplate appealing against it only after reading the entire judgement.
Shaikh Ali Shaikh Umar, a conspirator, was given a life sentence and ordered to pay a fine of Rs 1.5 lakh.
The court has so far sentenced 73 of 100 people convicted for their role in the serial blasts that killed 257 people.
(With agency inputs)
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