The special TADA court in Mumbai on Friday awarded three years imprisonment and fine of Rs 25,000 to five out of the 100 accused convicted in the 1993 serial blasts case.
Rashid Alware, Shahjahan Shaikdare, Yashwant Bhoinkar, Sharif Adhikari and Abbas Shaikhdare will spend six more months in prison if they are unable to pay the fine.
"None of them are in a state to pay the fine. Their financial condition is not sound. They are all from Raigad and were supporting their families," said Farhana Shah, the defense counsel in the 93 blast case.
Rashid Alware has been languishing in prison for three years and three months now. An extra six-month prison term awaits him if he is unable to pay the fine of Rs 25,000.
Fatima Alware, wife of Rashid, had come to court with Rashid's brother and another relative. She, however, refused to comment when asked for her reaction.
"I don't have anything to say. My brother-in-law and a relative are here with me. You ask them. I don't have any comments," she said.
When contacted, Rashid's brothers appeared tense and also refused to speak. "What difference does it make if we say something? Nothing is going to happen or change," said one of them.
Farhana Shah told rediff.com that she is planning to file an application before the court to slice down Alware's additional prison term of six-months to at least three months.
"The family members are under tremendous pressure since their loved ones have been inside for so long and are also slightly apprehensive about their condition inside since they are still under custody," she added.
Earlier, Chief Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nigam informed media persons about the special TADA court's verdict. He stated that all 100 accused in the blasts will be sentenced within 10 to 12 days. The sentencing of those convicted under TADA charges will begin from Monday.
"The court asked for the details of the probation officer and it has been furnished before it. The probation officer is expected to file his report in the coming days," said Nigam.
However, he also added that this report will be highly confidential and could not reveal when it will be submitted before the court.
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