2003 Mumbai blasts: All accused convicted under POTA

Monday, July 27, 2009
Mumbai: A special Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) court on Monday convicted all three accused in the 2003 twin blasts in Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazaar.The quantum of punishment will be pronounced on August 4.The accused - Haneef Sayyed (46), an auto driver, his wife Fahmeeda (43) and Ashrat Ansari (32) – are convicted under Prevention of Terrorism Act for murder and criminal conspiracy.On August 25, 2003, two bombs left in taxis exploded in south Mumbai - the Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazaar in the busy Kalbadevi area, killing 52 people and wounding more than a hundred others.The attacks were carried out to "avenge" the deaths of Muslims during the 2002 Gujarat riots.Chronology
Following is the chronology of the 2003 twin blasts at Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazaar:August 25, 2003: Blasts at Zaveri Bazaar and Gateway of India in south Mumbai in which 52 killed and 100 injured.August 31, 2003: Three accused Ashrat Ansari (32), Hanif Sayed (46) and his wife Fehmida Sayed (43) arrested.October 1, 2003: Two more accused, Mohammed Ansari Ladoowala and Mohammed Hasan Batterywala, held.October 2, 2003: Another accused Zaheer Patel (name changed as he later became approver in case) arrested.February 5, 2004: Chargesheet filed against six accused in the case in Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) court for Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazaar blasts. Accused also alleged to have been involved in placing an unexploded bomb in a bus at SEEPZ in suburban Andheri in December 2, 2002 and placing bomb in bus at Ghatkopar in July 28 (rpt) 28, 2003 in which two persons were killed.May 5, 2004: Patel declared approver and pardoned by POTA court.
June 20, 2004: Charges framed by court against five accused.September 2, 2004: Trial commences.December 2008: Ladoowala and Batterywala discharged from the case by POTA court after Supreme Court upholds POTA review committee report stating no case against them.July 27, 2009: Three accused Ashrat Ansari, Hanif Sayed and his wife Fehmida Sayed convicted by special POTA court under sections of IPC, POTA, Explosives Act, Explosive Substances Act. Court says arguments on quantum of sentence to be heard on August 4. Source: ANI, PTI
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Venu10
#1
Monday, 27 July 2009 05:01:19
Is it because it was tried under POTA that there has been a conviction? Would they be bailed out because POTA no longer applies now?