Odisha: The Special Court of National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday awarded death sentence to four convicts, rigorous life imprisonment to two accused, ten years rigorous imprisonment to two accused and seven years rigorous imprisonment to one person in connection with the serial bomb blasts that happened at Patna junction and at the historical Gandhi Maidan on October 27, 2013. These blasts were happend during the Hunkar Rally of Narendra Modi, the then Prime Ministerial candidate of NDA from Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP).
Amid tight security, the nine convicts were brought to the court of Special Judge Gurvinder Singh Malhotra from Beur Jail in Patna. The court pronounced the verdict on the quantum of punishment after hearing the matter slated for the day. After completion of hearing in the first half, the court announced to deliver the verdict in the second half.
NIA’s Special Public Prosecutor Lalan Prasad Sinha demanded the harshest punishment for the culprits, while Defense Advocate Syed Imran Ghani, citing the circumstances of the case and the economic and social condition of the accused, sought leniency and less punishment.
After hearing the arguments of both sides, the court fixed the time of second shift for giving verdict. At 1600 hrs, the court resumed proceedings and sentenced the culprits.
