1993 serial blasts: Six sentenced for role in landing arms, ammunition

MUMBAI: The special TADA court on Thursday sentenced six persons, including two associates of prime accused Tiger Memon, to prison terms ranging from five to fourteen years' rigorous imprisonment for their role in landing arms, ammunition and explosives prior to 1993 serial blasts.

Sharif Parkar, who was convicted on charges of having participated in the landing of arms, ammunitions and explosives at Shekhadi in Raigad district on February 3 and 9, 1993, was sentenced to 14 years' rigorous imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine of Rs three lakh, failing which he would have to undergo an additional three years jail term.

While sentencing Parkar, who was a associate of Tiger Memon, the court observed that 'he was not the main man' but despite knowing that the contraband landed was arms and ammunition and not silver, he decided to continue, which therefore warranted a harsher punishment for him.

"His age has been taken into consideration that is why he has been given fourteen years. Else, he might have been given life," Special Judge PD Kode said while sentencing Parkar, a senior citizen.

Another associate of Memon, Raju Jain, who had provided jeeps to transport contraband after the landing was sentenced to seven years' rigorous imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine of Rs one lakh, failing which he would have to undergo a jail term of three years.

Jain was also found guilty of having provided a scooter to Tiger which was later used in the Katha Bazaar blast.