Ghansar seeks leniency, to marry sweetheart

Mohammed Shoib Ghansar, who was found guilty of conspiracy in the 1993 bomb blast case, Friday appealed to a court for leniency in punishment saying he wanted to marry his girlfriend of 13 years who was waiting for him to come out of jail.

"I want to marry her as she has waited patiently for me to come out of prison," Ghansar told designated judge P D Kode in his statement on the point of quantum of sentence to be awarded to him by the court.

Ghansar, who was found guilty of parking an RDX-laden scooter at Zaveri Bazaar on March 12, 1993 that exploded killing 17 persons, said he had an old mother and a 16-year-old sister to look after. In an emotional appeal, Ghansar urged the court to award lesser punishment as he wanted to first arrange for his sister's marriage and then his own wedding with his childhood love.

Ghansar pleaded that during 13 years in prison he was well-behaved and there were no complaints against him. He also said that prior to 1993 bomb blasts he had no criminal antecedents. The court asked the Central Bureau of Investigation and defence lawyer to argue on the point of sentence to be awarded to Ghansar on September 18.

According to special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, the court is expected to deliver verdict on Monday concerning other accused who were allegedly involved in planting RDX-laden vehicles across the city which exploded killing 257 persons and injuring 713 on March 12, 1993.

The court found Ghansar guilty of causing explosion at Zaveri Bazar. He was also held guilty of stuffing RDX in vehicles which were parked at various places causing a chain of explosions. The accused may face punishment ranging from five years to life and even death, according to Nikam