5 guilty cops plead for leniency in Mumbai blast case

MUMBAI: Five policemen, held guilty of aiding and abetting terrorist acts in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blast case, on Wednesday pleaded for leniency in punishment and broke down while telling the trial court that they had families to look after.

"In the last 13 years I have repented for what I have done. My wife and children would be put into hardship if I am sent to jail", said Vijay Patil, suspended sub-inspector Vijay Patil, who was convicted on Tuesday for allowing conspirators transport arms and explosives in trucks from Raigad to Mumbai.

With tears in his eyes, Patil said "I have committed a mistake knowingly or unknowingly and for this I have already suffered by spending five-and-a-half years in prison".

Constable Ashok Muneshwar also wept before the judge P D Kode saying his eldest son was mentally retarded and his family was totally dependent on him for a living. Pleading for minimum punishment, he said he had spent three years in jail.

Another constable P M Mahadik said he was the sole breadwinner of his family. He said his wife was sick and had undergone surgery. Urging leniency in punishment, he told the court that he had a distinguished service in the police department and had won awards.

Constable Ramesh Mali said he was suffering from blood pressure and diabetes and was the sole breadwinner for his family. He also had to look after an ailing mother, while constable S Y Pashilkar said he had no source of income and had spent two years and nine months in custody.

All of them broke down before the judge who offered them glasses of water and consoled them to be quiet and stick to their statement on the quantum of sentence.