Date:16/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/16/stories/2007061601851300.htm

National

Mumbai blasts case convict dies

Staff Reporter

MUMBAI : Ejaz Pathan, a convict in the 1993 serial blasts case and an underworld gangster, died of cardiac arrest in hospital here on Friday.

Pathan, 48, was sentenced last week to 10-year imprisonment for his role in the conspiracy.

After he was sentenced, the special TADA court allowed him to take medical treatment. The State sanctioned over Rs. 2 lakh for his operation.

Although accused are normally transferred to other jails in the State after their sentence is pronounced, Pathan remained in the Arthur Road jail hospital.

Abbas Kazmi, Pathan's lawyer, said that he complained of uneasiness in the morning and was taken to the jail hospital. He died before the tests could be completed at 1.30 p.m., he said. Pathan was brought to the country in 2003 with Iqbal Kaskar, brother of prime accused Dawood Ibrahim.

Special judge P.D. Kode noted that Pathan attended the first conspiracy meeting held in Dubai and also recruited men to carry out tasks such as landing of the explosives. He had pleaded for leniency on medical grounds. The court sentenced him to 10 years RI and a total fine of Rs. 2,25,000 for offences punishable under sections 120-b (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, 3 (3), 5 and 6 of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act.