Mumbai, July 27: Six years after twin blasts ripped through south Mumbai locations, a special Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) court will on Monday pass its verdict in the 2003 case that killed 53 persons and injured 100 others.
On August 25, 2003, two blasts occurred at the Gateway of India and the Zaveri Bazaar in south Mumbai. The three accused prosecuted now are Ashrat Ansari (32), Sayed Anees (46) and his wife Fehmida Sayed (43). The three have been in custody for six years.
Two others Mohammed Ansari Ladoowala and Mohammed Hasan Batterywala — were arrested immediately after the attack but were discharged by the special POTA court last year after they were given a clean chit by the POTA Review Committee. Another accused Farheen, a juvenile when arrested, was also discharged due to lack of evidence.
Accused Jahid Patni turned approver and aided the prosecution in building the case, divulging information on the Lashkar-e-Toiba’s involvement in the case, said Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam. The prosecution examined 104 witnesses to build up the case against the three accused.
The accused have been charged with various offences under different sections of POTA, and under sections 120-b (conspiracy), 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.
On February 5, 2004, the police filed a 500- page chargesheet against six persons for conspiring with the LeT to strike terror in the country by triggering a series of blasts in the city on July 28 at Ghatkopar and twin blasts of August 25 at Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazaar.
-Agencies