'93 blasts: 9 yrs RI for Samir Hingora

MUMBAI: The special TADA Court hearing the 1993 serial blasts case on Friday sentenced five persons, including Bollywood producer Samir Hingora who supplied AK-56 rifle to actor Sanjay Dutt, to rigorous imprisonment ranging from eight years to life.

Niyaz Ahmed Shaikh, who obtained training in Pakistan, attended conspiracy meetings and made a survey of the BMC building, was sentenced to life imprisonment and asked to pay a total fine of Rs 50,000 on charges of conspiracy and aiding and abetting a terrorist act.

Special judge PD Kode observed that Shaikh was involved in the conspiracy till the last date but was not involved in the commission of terrorist acts leading to death and destruction.

Hingora, who had supplied AK-56 rifle to Dutt on January 19, 1993 at the instance of Anees Ibrahim, brother of prime accused Dawood Ibrahim, was sentenced to nine years rigorous imprisonment (RI) and imposed a fine of Rs two lakhs.

Shahrukh Motorwala, who went to Dubai on a forged passport and participated in a conspiracy meeting was sentenced to RI of 13 years and asked to deposit a total fine of Rs 50,000 on two counts of conspiracy and aiding and abetting a terrorist act.