'1993 serial blasts: RDX not used to kill mosquitoes'
8 Sept 2017 10:06 PM IST
Mumbai: RDX cannot be used as a powder to kill mosquitoes and flies, the Special TADA court here observed while awarding death sentence to Tahir Merchant and Firoz Abdul Rashid Khan and life term to gangster Abu Salem in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case.
Noting that the accused had knowledge about the crime, the court on Friday said "it cannot be assumed that AK-56 rifles were being distributed in schools in Bombay as toys."
The Special TADA court yesterday awarded death sentence to Merchant and Khan in the case but Salem escaped the noose and was handed down life imprisonment due to a provision in the Extradition Act.
Besides Salem, the court sentenced Karimullah Khan to life imprisonment, while awarding 10 years in jail to the fifth convict, Riyaz Siddiqui.
"It is necessary to mention that RDX cannot be used as a powder to kill mosquitoes and flies and it cannot be assumed that AK 56 rifles were being distributed in schools in Bombay as toys. The accused had knowledge about the offence," Special TADA court Judge G A Sanap said in his judgement.
It is necessary to note that the conspirators and the perpetrators of the crime rejoiced at its success and when it came to face the consequences they were getting justice, the court observed in the 2,100-page judgement.
The court also observed that the punishment must be proportionate to the depravity and gravity of crime.
It was pertinent to note that a case related to terrorism could not be treated at par with other offences.
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