'SC GRANTS EXTENSION FOR 3 ACCUSED IN 1993 BLASTS CASE'

INN published the story "IF SANJAY DUTT CAN GETS EXTENSION, WHY CAN'T OTHERS?" in these columns and as an impact, a day after actor Sanjay Dutt was granted a reprieve, the Supreme Court granted three accused in the 1993 serial blasts case an additional four weeks to surrender in order to undergo the remainder of their prison term.

Yusuf Nulwala, accused of helping Dutt dispose of the weapons he had acquired illegally, is among the three persons to be granted an additional four weeks before they have to surrender before a court and undergo the remaining prison sentence.

Altaf Ali Sayeed and Essa Memon, brother of absconding prime accused Tiger Memon, were the other two convicts who were granted an additional month to surrender by the court.

Another convict, Yusuf Khan, who had applied for additional time to surrender to the court had his plea rejected. According to confirmed sources, Khan had pleaded for time to surrender on the grounds of ill-health, but the apex court bench noted that he could continue receiving treatment while in prison.

Zaibunissa Kazi, who is also convicted under TADA in the case, has appealed against the Supreme Court judgement not to grant her additional time to surrender. The Supreme Court had dismissed her plea seeking additional time to surrender. The apex court will hear her petition later today.

Eleven other convicts in the 1993 serial blasts had surrendered before  TADA court in Mumbai yesterday and another 33 persons whose conviction was upheld by the Supreme Court were scheduled to surrender today.