Two associates of absconding prime conspirator Tiger Memon, who were
found guilty on November 16 for their complicity in the
1993 Mumbai blasts, have urged the special court to award them lesser punishment.
"I am struggling everyday with life and death after my wife and son deserted me when I was diagnosed with AIDS, said Imtiaz Ghawte. Pleading leniency in punishment, Ghawte told designated judge P D Kode that he was trapped into the conspiracy by co-accused soon after he got married in 1992.
Ghawte said he had become a victim of AIDS in 2005 after spending 12 years and nine months in custody.
Another convict Mulchand Shah said he was sick and had already spent three years and nine months in custody. He said he suffered a heart stroke in 2002