Pakistan man gets life term for 1995 Jammu blasts

A bench of Justices A K Sikri and Uday U Lalit awarded the rigorous imprisonment for life to 76-year-old Nabi, a resident of Sialkot district in Pakistan, who was brought to the court from Jammu jail.

The order stated: “Pursuant to our directions in July 1 judgment, convict Ghulam Nabi was taken into custody and has been produced before this court for the hearing. We are of the view that ends of justice would be met by awarding life sentence for offences under sections 3 and 4 of TADA and section 302 and 120 (B) of Ranbir Penal Code.” Death penalty is the maximum punishment under these provisions.

During arguments on quantum of sentence, advocate Dushyant Parashar, appointed as amicus for the convict, sought leniency, saying Nabi was 76 and has been incarcerated since 1995. He also said Nabi was suffering from various ailments.

The CBI, however, said three consecutive life term sentences should be awarded to Nabi in order to prevent the state from exercising the power of remission.

But the bench said: “He was acquitted by the trial court, we have reserved the judgment. Apart from confession, there is nothing on record… the ends of justice would be met by awarding him life imprisonment.”

Nabi’s acquittal was set aside by the SC in July, relying on his confessional statement. It had sought his presence for determining the quantum of punishment.