USIS attack: Aftab, 6 guilty to be hanged

Aftab’s counsel later said he would appeal the sentence in the High Court.

Six out of the 18 accused are shown as ‘‘absconders’’ while three are killed in encounters. Two others accused in the case, Shakil Mallik and Dilip Patel, were acquitted for lack of evidence by the court yesterday.

Expressing happiness over today’s sentence, Public Prosecutor Ashok Bakshi said: “The seven who were convicted yesterday were sentenced to death by the judge today. It is an exemplary punishment. The seven people were involved in a sensational attack on American Center and they killed five public servants on duty and injured several others.’’

The attack on the dawn of January 22, 2002, had left five policemen dead and several others injured.

Police filed chargesheets against 18 people under sections 120(b), 121, 121 (a), 302, 307, 468, 471, 427 of Indian Penal Code and 25 (1a) and 27 of the Arms Act. Underworld don Ansari, the prime accused, was arrested a day after the shootout in from the Dubai airport as he was about to board a plane to Pakistan.

Reacting to the death sentence, defence lawyer Shahid Imam said: “The judgement is unwarranted and does not reflect the evidence that has come on record. The trial was not fair. For example, Aftab Ansari was asked 925 questions in a record 5 hours. I am going to challenge the verdict in High Court.’’