Katju seeks pardon for Zaibunissa in 1993 Mumbai blasts case
New Delhi/Mumbai, March 27: After actor Sanjay Dutt, Press Council of India chairman Markandey Katju Wednesday sought a pardon for Zaibunissa Kazi, another convict in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case.The former apex court judge said
The Supreme Court verdict Thursday upheld Dutt's conviction for illegal possession of prohibited weapons like an AK-56 assault rifle and a revolver and sentenced him to five years in jail.
Two days ago Katju had said that he received an e-mail from Shagufta, Zaibunnisa's daughter, appealing to him to seek pardon for her mother.
Shagufta, 40, told mediapersons that her mother was innocent and she had only agreed to keep a bag containing AK-56 rifles, bullets and hand grenades that was brought to her by Abu Salem and Manzoor Ahmed Sayed Ahmed. She said that Zaibunnisa was not aware of the contents of the bag.
"I wish I was a celebrity or my mother was a celebrity, then I would also get all the support that Sanjay Dutt is getting today. If it is on humanitarian grounds, then why only Sanjay Dutt, why not Zaibunissa?" she asked.