MUMBAI : The special court here on Wednesday adjourned till Thursday hearing of arguments on the quantum of punishment to be given to four members of the Memon family who were convicted on Tuesday in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case.

The Memons had dismissed their lawyer, Majeed Memon, and appointed Advocate Harshad Ponda in his place. Mr. Ponda pleaded for more time to discuss the case with his clients.

Yakub Memon, Essa Memon, Yusuf Memon and Rubeena Memon were convicted under Section 120 (b) of the IPC (criminal conspiracy) and Section 3 (3) of the Terrorists and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (aiding and abetting in and facilitating a terrorist act).

In addition to these charges, Yakub was found guilty under Section 5 and Section 6 of TADA (related to possession and transportation of arms and ammunition).

He was also convicted under Sections 3 and 4, read with Section 6 of the Explosives Substances Act (related to possessing explosive substances with intent to endanger lives).

Designated judge P. D. Kode asked accused number 9, Mohammad Shoib Ghansar, charged with planting a bomb at Zaveri Bazaar, to be present on Thursday along with the other 29 undertrials in custody.

Those out on bail, including actor Sanjay Dutt, are not expected to report to court until the judge gives his ruling on those in custody.

Eleven of those in custody face the charge under Section 3 (2) (i) (committing terrorist activities resulting in death). Another, who is charged under the same Section, is out on bail.

The court is likely to declare its findings on Mohammed Shoib Ghansar, who has been in custody since March 1993, on Thursday and the fate of the other 10 will be decided subsequently.

Apart from the charge of criminal conspiracy and Section 3 (3) of TADA, under which all the 123 accused are charged, Ghansar faces charges under Section 3(2)(i)(ii) of TADA.

He is said to have planted a scooter-laden with RDX, detonators and timers at Zaveri Bazar on March 12, 1993. The explosion killed 17 persons, injured 57 and caused damage to property worth Rs.1.20 crore.

The prosecution charge is that Ghansar participated in the landing and transportation of arms and ammunition at Shekhadi and that he is an associate of the prime accused, Tiger Memon. He "facilitated his escape by fetching his passport and ticket."

The police have alleged that he participated in the "filling of RDX" in motor vehicles at Al Hussaini building, where the Memon family lives, on the night of March 11 and 12. These vehicles caused 10 explosions and killed 257 people.

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