Ahmedabad blasts convicts’ sentences enhanced
By IANSMonday, January 24, 2011
GANDHINAGAR - The Gujarat High Court Monday enhanced the sentences of four people convicted in the May 2002 tiffin box bomb blasts in Ahmedabad from ten years jail to life imprisonment, while the fifth was absolved of all charges.
A division bench of Justice Jayant Patel and Justice H.B. Antani Monday allowed the states appeal for enhancement of sentencing of Anas Machiswala, Kalim Karimi, Habib Hawa and Hanif Theliwala. It, however, acquitted Maulvi Ahmed Hussain of all charges.
A special Prevention Of Terrorism Act (POTA) court had sentenced the five to ten years’ imprisonment and Rs.5,000 fine on May 12, 2006.
Over a dozen people were injured in the serial bomb blasts that took place in five buses in the city May 29, 2002, soon after the post-Godhra riots. As many as 29 people were arrested in the case, but four were later discharged and 17 put on trial. Of the 17, 12 were acquitted.