'Osama Sahab' urges acquittal of '93 blasts accused

MUMBAI: In a letter to the TADA court trying the 1993 bomb blasts case, a person who identified himself only as "Osama Sahab" has claimed that Islamic Shariat laws are supreme and urged that the accused be acquitted.

The missive written on a postcard was received by the court some days ago and has been forwarded to Police Commissioner A N Roy and other authorities for necessary action.

The letter addressed to judge P D Kode says, "The naked truth is that Islamic Shariat is supreme...Allah bless you, acquit the accused and release them."

This is not the first time that Kode has received such letters. Earlier ones have warned Kode not to be strict with the accused and to show mercy to them.

Following threats, Kode's security was increased to the Z-plus category and he was provided armed bodyguards and a bulletproof car.

Meanwhile, security in and around the TADA court has been tightened in the past few days with several policemen deployed in the area. Stringent security measures have been put in place at the entry and exit points in the central prison where the court is housed.

The court has so far held 50 of the 123 accused guilty and acquitted 19 others. Actor Sanjay Dutt is among the accused in the case.