I do not want to die, says 1993 blast convict Feroz Khan
He claimed that during his time already spent in jail, he had involved himself in studies, had completed his education and had also helped other prisoners.
"The confession recorded by me, which is part of the evidence, shows the remorse and repentance which I had after the commission of the offense," 1993 Mumbai serial blasts convict Feroz Khan told the special Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) court on Tuesday, while pleading the court to consider mitigating circumstance while deciding on his sentencing.
He claimed that during his time already spent in jail, he had involved himself in studies, had completed his education and had also helped other prisoners.
At 11 am on Tuesday, the court was about to start hearing arguments on the quantum of sentence to be awarded to six convicts. However, as Feroz Khan's defence advocate Wahab Khan pleaded the court to grant him time to discuss the matter with his client, the matter was posted for the second half of the day.
At around 3 pm, the defence advocates initiated their arguments. Advocate Sudeep Pasbola, appearing for Abu Salem, informed the court that he would want the prosecution to initiate its set of arguments, and he would then argue the matter on the mitigating circumstances. However, this was rejected by the court, which asked advocate Wahab Khan to initiate the examination of his witnesses to prove mitigating circumstances in favour of Feroz.
Deposing in court, Feroz narrated the hardship that his family had to face from the time of his arrest. "The only request I have is to not award me with death penalty. Put me behind bars my entire life, also do not give any remissions like furlough or parole, but let my kids know that their father is alive. I do not want to die," he said.