Mumbai 2002-2003 blasts cases: 10 convicted, 3 acquitted by POTA court

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Mumbai, Mar 29: On Tuesday a special Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) court gave its verdict in in the triple bomb blasts case that took place in Mumbai between December 2002 and March 2003 and convicted 10 accused. All the 10 accused have been convicted under various sections of POTA, Arms Act, Explosive substances Act, and Railways Act. Special Judge P R Deshmukh also acquitted 3 accused in the Mumbai 2002-2003 blast cases. The 3 acquitted by special court are Nadeem Paloba, Harun Lohar and Adnan Mulla. The court will decide quantum of sentence on Wednesday.
Within short span of three moths, three blast occurred in different part of Mumbai. The first blast happened at McDonald’s restaurant on the main building premises of the Mumbai Central railway station on December 6, 2002. The second blast took place on January 27, 2003, in a crowded market in Vile Parle East, while the third blast occurred in a jam-packed Karjat-bound local train at the Mulund railway station on March 13, 2003.
At least 12 people have been killed and 27 were injured in the Mumbai 2002-2003 explosions. Mumbai police arrested 16 people in connection with the case mostly members of banned Students Islamic Movement of India. The police charge sheet claimed that the group wanted to take avenge of demolition of Babri mosque and Gujarat 2002 riots.