’93 blasts: The buck doesn’t stop here
AMID A FLOOD OF TEARS Special public prosecutor Salvi who worked hard for the day of judgment lays down the facts of the blasts verdict
On the most important day of their lives, a day when they were going to be punished for their crime, all the five convicts in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blast case, were standing ‘pale’ eager to know what’s in store for them. The entire courtroom was packed with media persons, policemen, advocates and the security guards of the special judge – Justice Govind Sanap.
Tahir Merchant, one of the two, who were shown gallows by the special court, chanted a small prayer in Arabic language, before entering the courtroom. Amongst all the convicts, only extradited gangster Abu Salem and Riyaz Siddiqui, were seemingly calm and composed. In fact, Salem was the only convict who kept on speaking to media representatives and continuously consulting his advocates.
Minutes after Justice Sanap assembled in the courtroom, there was pin drop silence followed by the pronouncement of the sentences starting with the punishment for Karimulla Khan. The four of them excluding Salem were standing with nervousness however, it was only Salem who could be seen sitting on the bench with ease.
Soon after death was pronounced for Firoz and Tahir, both could be seen crying. Even Karimulla was seemingly disappointed with the lifer awarded to him but only Salem heard his punishment with ease and one could make out from his expressions that the punishment had no effect on him.
Following the pronouncement of punishment, the family members of these convicts were weeping in the corridors of the court premises. The most hurt was wife of Firoz Khan, who wept continuously till she met her husband. Apart from her, one of the female advocates representing Tahir Merchant was also seen with tearful eyes while speaking to him.
The death sentence seem to have not gone well with Tahir and Firoz as they were seen roaming around inside the courtroom with anger and yelling at policemen, who escorted them.
They almost fought with Justice Sanap’s staff saying they were not being provided food on time. Though they cited food as the reason but one could make out that the real reason was the fear of death.