Main accused found guilty by Pune court

As the main suspects in German bakery bomb blast case that led to the death of 17 people and injury to 64 others are still at large, the additional sessions judge N P Dhote on Monday pronounced the lone conspirator Mirza Himayat Inayat Baig guilty of the terror act. The five other prime suspects including Mohsin Choudhary, Yasin Bhatkal, Riyaz Bhatkal, Iqbal Bhatkal - all Indian Mujahiddin members - and Faiyaz Kagzi are still absconding. Dhote said that the quantum of punishment will be awarded to Baig after hearing the prosecution and defence on the point of sentence on 18 April. The judge informed Baig that he was found guilty under sections 120 (b), 302, 307, 435, 153 (a) of the Indian Penal Code, 10, 13, 16, 18, 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and 3, 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act. The judge further said that the punishment prescribed under the various laws invited punishment up to death and life sentence with fine.

The court told Baig that he was giving him time to make his submissions on the point of sentence.