Mangaluru: In a historic judgement, certainly first of its kind in coastal Karnataka, the III Additional Sessions Court, on Wednesday, April 12 pronounced rigorous life imprisonment to the three convicts in the 2008 Mangaluru terror link case.
The court pronounced the quantum of punishment for the convicts and Indian Mujahideen operatives Sayyed Mohammed Naushad, Ahmed Bhava Abubacker and Fakeer Ahmed.
The arrest of the terror suspects began in October 2008 in Ullal in a pre-dawn joint operation by Mumbai police with Karnataka’s Anti-Naxal Force and the Dakshina Kannada district police.
Syed Mohammed Naushad (26), Ahmed Bava (34) from Bollur in Halayangadi and Fakir Ahmed from Uchila in Udupi district were brought to court on Wednesday by the police amidst tight security for the quantum of punishment. Four others — Mohammed Ali of Mukkacherry, his son Javed Ali, Mohammed Rafique from Bolontharu in Bantwal and Shabbir Bhatkal alias Shabbir Maulvi — were let off due to lack of evidence.
Naushad, Ahmed Bava and Shabbir Bhatkal alias Shabbir Moulana, alleged to be an aide of Indian Mujahideen founder Riyaz Bhatkal, had been in judicial custody. Fakir Bava, declared guilty, was out on bail.
Third additional district and sessions court judge S H Pushpanjali Devi declared the three guilty under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967, Explosives Act 2013 and other sections.
All the three Indian Mujaheddin operatives, Sayyed Mohammed Naushad, Ahmed Bhava Abubacker and Fakeer Ahmed convicted under the Section 16 (1) (b) of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (1967) gets rigorous life imprisonment, and to pay fine of Rs 10,000. Default in paying the fine can lead to one year rigorous imprisonment.
Under Section 17 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (1967), the guilty gets five years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5000. Default in payment of fine invites 2 months rigorous imprisonment.
Under Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (1967), five years of rigorous imprisonment and fine of rupees 5000 are awarded. Default leads to 3 month rigorous imprisonment.
Under Section 5 (b) of Explosive Substances Act 1908, court pronounces rigorous life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10000. Default to pay the fine leads to one year rigorous imprisonment.
Under The Explosives Act Section 9 (b) (b) there is a rigorous imprisonment of two years and a fine of Rs 3000. Default to pay the fine invites three months rigorous imprisonment.
Under 120 (b) which reads with 149 of IPC, rigorous life Imprisonment and fine of Rs 10000 is awarded. Default to pay the fine leads to one year rigorous imprisonment.
The court has also convicted Sayyed Mohammed Naushad under IPC Section 420 and pronounced rigorous life imprisonment for 7 years and Rs 5000 failing to pay which he will also undergo 6 months rigorous imprisonment. Under 468 of IPC, rigorous life imprisonment of three years, Rs 3000 fine is awarded failing to pay which the guilty will also serve 3 months rigorous life imprisonment. Under Section 471 IPC, three years of rigorous imprisonment and Rs 3000 is pronounced failing to pay which invites three months of rigorous imprisonment.
Court also convicted Fakir Ahmed under Section (6) of Explosive Substances Act (1908) to rigorous life imprisonment and slapped on him a fine of Rs 10000, If he fails to pay the fine, he will undergo one year rigorous imprisonment. The sentences of life imprisonment shall run concurrently and the remaining terms of sentence shall rum consecutively.
Judge S H Puspanjali Devi passed the jugement.
62 evidences have been considered in the case.
Speaking to media, Assistant Public Prosecutor Narayan Sherigar U said, “This is a good judgement by the court.and a message to the youth in the society to not involve in the terrorism activities. Nothing can be achieved through terrorism”.
