1993 Mumbai blasts: Yakub Memon gets death

New Delhi: The designated TADA court hearing the 1993 Mumbai blasts case on Friday sentenced the Memons, also known as the ‘first family’ of the blasts.

While Yakub Memon has been sentenced to death, the other three members - Essa, Yusuf and Rubeena – were handed out life imprisonments owing to their failing health.

Yakub, a chartered accountant, is guilty of arranging the distribution of funds for the conspiracy and of distributing arms and ammunition.

There was high drama in the court room immediately after Judge P D Kode pronounced the verdict. While Rubeena fainted, Yakub lost his cool and started gesticulating wildly at the judge, shouting, "God forgive this man for he knows not what he has done."

Essa and Yusuf calmed him down and helped Rubeena out of the court.

"Yakub memon has been awarded death penalty. This gives a strong message to Tiger Memon that even if you leave the country, terrorism will not be tolerated. There will be a contempt of court case against Yakub Memon," announced public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam

Charges against Yakub

Yakub, who had fled to Dubai a day before the bombings, along with the rest of family, returned to India and surrendered to the CBI on the July 28, 1994.

But why did he return? In his own words, "I returned to India to help the investigating authorities and to clear the stigma forced on my family for the wrong doing of a few family members (Tiger and Ayub Memon), of being perpetrators."

But the CBI and then the court found him guilty of distributing funds arranged by his absconding brother and co-accused Ayub Memon to achieve objectives of the conspiracy.

As a travel agent he had also arranged for the travel, lodging and boarding for the men who were sent for terror training to Pakistan.

Yakub also collected and handed over 85 hand-grenades from one of the co-accused to the other.

Charges against Essa, Yusuf and Rubeena

Both Essa and Yusuf have been found guilty for allowing their flat and garage in Al-Hussaini building, to be used for terrorist activities.

Rubeena was found guilty for allowing her Maruti van to be used for terrorist activities. It was the first piece of evidence in the case.

While Essa has already spent about 12 years in prison, Yusuf is a schizophrenic and has spent over five years in jail.

The other Memon family members including Yakub's brother Suleiman, his mother Hanifa Memon, and wife Raheen have been acquitted.

Public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam has made clear he will appeal the court for a death sentence for Yakub and severest punishment for the other members of the first family of 1993 blasts.

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