Mumbai, July 27
The special court set up under the Terrorism and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA) to hear the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case today pronounced the sentence on members of the Memon family, who played a major role in the incidents.

Judge Pramod Kode of the TADA court pronounced the death sentence on Yakub Memon, brother of prime accused Tiger Memon. Two of his brothers and a sister-in-law were sentenced to life imprisonment for their role in the blasts. Tiger Memon, who plotted and put together the elaborate plan of the serial bombings, is absconding. He is believed to be living in Pakistan.

Along with Yakub, the TADA court today sentenced his brothers Yusuf and Essa and sister-in-law Rubina Memon to life imprisonment.

Rubina’s husband Suleiman was earlier acquitted in the case.

The scene at the TADA court was tense today as members of the Memon family trooped in. While the brothers were already inside, Rubina came in shortly afterwards. Just before pronouncing her sentence, the judge said he was being lenient towards her because of her gender.

Yusuf and Essa too were spared the noose because of their ill-health. While the former is suffering from schizophrenia, the latter has a tumour in his brain.

Yakub was found guilty of financing the serial blasts through co-accused Mulchand Shah and a company owned by his brother Ayub, who is absconding. He was also found guilty of providing tickets and sending other accused for arms training to Pakistan, via Dubai.

Yusuf and Essa were found guilty of allowing their flat to be used for storing arms, ammunition and explosives. Rubina was found guilty of allowing her car, house and garage to be used for storage and disbursal of explosives.

After his sentence was pronounced, Yakub began shouting at the judge and tried to rush out even before the judge completed the sentencing.

He was subsequently escorted out by the policemen. “Oh My Lord, forgive this man. He does not know what he is doing,” Yakub said. He later told the mediapersons: “I have forgiven him,” of the judge.

With today’s sentencing, 96 of the 100 accused in the case have been sentenced. In all, 12 persons have now been sentenced to death.

Actor Sanjay Dutt and his three associates, who were found not guilty under TADA but guilty under the Arms Act, have been asked to appear before the court on July 31.