Sentencing for Mumbai blasts accused from Friday

A special court trying the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts cases will pronounce the quantum of sentence for the 100 accused from Friday.

Among the 100 are the four members of the Memon family, which includes three brothers of the blasts mastermind Tiger Memon, several planters and Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt.

Dutt has been convicted under the Arms Act for possessing illegal weapons but was absolved of conspiracy charge.

It may take a week or two for special judge of the Terrorist and Disruptive (Prevention) Act (TADA) Pramod Kode, to deliver the final verdict, TADA court sources said.

On May 9, the court acquitted 23 people including three members of the Memon family. As many as 123 people faced the marathon trial as Judge Kode had started delivering the verdict from Sep 23 last year.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought death penalty for 44 found guilty of conspiracy under section 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and other heinous charges under the TADA.

The March 12, 1993 bombings that rocked India's financial and entertainment capital claimed 257 lives, besides maiming hundreds and destroying property worth Rs 300 million.