Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is likely to make a statement in the state assembly at 11 a.m. on 1993 Mumbai terror blasts convict Yakub Memon, who was hanged in Nagpur Central Jail today.
Memon’s second mercy plea before President Pranab Mukherjee was rejected late last night.
In an unprecedented move, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court presided over a fresh hearing of the case throughout the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday before dismissing the final appeal for mercy by Yakub, the only person to be sentenced to death for the series of bombings in Mumbai.
While Yakub Memon’s lawyer Anand Grover had sought a reprieve of 14 days to challenge rejection of mercy plea by the President, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi maintained that if mercy petitions are filed over and over again, death warrants will never be executed.
The apex court had on Wednesday also dismissed the curative petition of Yakub, saying proper procedure was followed in disposing of Yakub’s curative petition.
Memon was convicted for being the “driving spirit” behind the blasts that killed at least 257 people at separate landmarks in the financial capital, including the Bombay Stock Exchange and two crowded markets.
The case has aroused controversy because police considered Yakub’s brother, “Tiger” Memon, and mafia don Dawood Ibrahim to be the main masterminds behind the attacks. Both remain in hiding.
Memon’s sentencing had also stirred a public debate, with supporters saying the death sentence is too harsh given he helped the investigating agencies crack India’s deadliest bomb attack case. (ANI)