Published On : Tue, Jul 28th, 2015

SC stays the death warrant issued against 1993 Mumbai blasts convict Yakub Memon

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Temporary relief for Yakub Memon, SC refers curative plea to larger bench

NewDelhi/Nagpur: The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed the death warrant issued against 1993 Mumbai serial blasts convict Yakub Memon. As per order dated April 30, Memom was to be hanged on July 30.

The execution has been stayed following differences of opinion between the two judges hearing the matter. Justice Kurian Joseph said that curative petition needs to be heard again as due process of law was not followed.

The matter has been referred to a larger bench of the Supreme Court.

Memon has challenged the Maharashtra government ordering the death warrant before his curative petition was heard by the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court had on July 21 dismissed Memon’s curative petition against death sentence. The curative petition was the last legal recourse available for Memon.

On July 15, the Maharashtra government had decided to execute Memon on July 30.

Memon was sentenced to death by a designated TADA court in 2007, after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy.

Memon is convicted for criminal conspiracy under Section 120-B of the IPC, aiding, abetting and facilitating a terrorist act, illegal possession and transportation of arms and ammunition and possessing explosives with intent to endanger lives.

In March 2013, the apex court had rejected Memon’s appeal against conviction by TADA court. In May 2014, then President rejected Memon’s mercy petition and in April 2015, the Supreme Court rejected Memon’s review petition against conviction and sentence.

According to investigating agency, Tiger Memon got Yakub involved in planning and plotting the serial blasts that killed at least 257 people and injured about 700 on March 12, 1993.