MUMBAI: Two of the three women convicts were sentenced in the ongoing delivery of judgment in the Mumbai serial blasts trial. One of them was linked with concealing the weapon allegedly taken by actor Sanjay Dutt. One more accused involved in the hand grenade attack at one of the targets was sentenced to life imprisonment. The only other woman accused of the 100 convicted is Rubeena Memon.

Special judge P. D. Kode sentenced Mubina Bhivandiwala under section 3 (3) of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (aiding and abetting a terrorist act) to five years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 25, 000. She had allowed her flat to be used as a venue for conspiracy meetings held by absconding prime accused Tiger Memon. Mr. Justice Kode noted that there was ample evidence to prove her association with Tiger Memon. He also said that she might have had no choice because of poverty. He said that her confession was accepted and there were other confessions of the co-accused to corroborate. He said he awarded the minimum sentence to her.

Accused breaks down

However, when Mubina heard about the sentence she broke down and spoke to the judge. She said she had two children and the court should have some pity on her. She pleaded that she should not be jailed. Mr. Justice Kode said that he was bound by law and asked the police personnel to take her away.

Special court also sentenced Zaibunissa Qazi to five years RI and a fine of Rs.1 lakh under section 3 (3) and section 6 of TADA. She was found guilty of keeping AK-56 rifle at her place after being instructed by Anees Ibrahim, brother of Dawood Ibrahim. This rifle was allegedly returned by Sanjay Dutt after he procured it from gangster Abu Salem. Mr. Justice Kode said that she was absolved of the conspiracy charge as well as illegal possession of weapon.

Zaibunissa had applied for probation under the Probation of Offenders Act. However, it is not applicable to those convicted under TADA. Accepting her plea for leniency, he remarked that though the weapons were kept at her place, she did not possess them.

The court took her age and widowhood in consideration and gave her a minimum sentence. She was unable to get up and was in a state of shock. She too pleaded for sympathetic treatment. Both the women have served less than 6 months in custody.

The court then sentenced Salim Rahim Sheikh to rigorous imprisonment for life on two counts and a total fine of Rs. 1,40,000. He was found guilty under the primary conspiracy charge and several sections of TADA and the Indian Penal Code. He had acquired weapon training in Pakistan and had participated in filling of RDX in the vehicles that were used in the serial blasts on March 12, 1993. He has been in custody since his arrest.

Mr. Sanjay Dutt had come to the court. However, there was a discussion on whether probation under the Probation of Offenders Act should be granted before pronouncement of the sentence or after.

Later special public prosecutor raised an issue of an accused on bail giving interview to a television channel. He submitted that Mr. Justice Kode's name was mentioned and the accused person expressed his views on the trial.

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