Mumbai, July 09: A special riots court here on Wednesday sentenced former MP and Shiv Sena leader Madhukar Sarpotdar to one year in prison in connection with the 1992-93 Mumbai riots।
Beside Sarpotdar, two others – Ashok Shinde and Jayant Parab - have also been convicted and sent to one year in jail under Section 153 of Indian Penal Code for inflammatory speech and inciting violence and enmity between two religious groups।
The court also slapped a fine of Rs 5000 on each। The court also acquitted three more accused in the same case.
However, sentences have been suspended till August 16 to enable the accused to appeal before the Sessions court। Sarpotdar and others got bail soon after the court pronounced the sentences.
On December 27, 1992, Sarpotdar had led a mob of 5,000 people from Ganesh Utsav Samiti Mandal in sub-urban Kherwadi area।
Earlier, Magistrate R C Bapat Sarkar completed hearing the defence and prosecution's arguments and had set today’s date for announcing the sentences।
According to the prosecution, the mob had chanted anti-Muslim slogans and held placards that read "terror of Shiv Sena is the only saviour for mankind," leading to stone pelting in the area।
The prosecution further argued that the procession was to gain political mileage under the garb of religion and it violated the order of the Police Commissioner, restricting the Assembly of more than five persons for security reasons।
The defence advocate, however, argued that it was only a religious procession, which did not require permission from the Police Commissioner।
"The incident occurred in the afternoon of December 27 and the FIR was registered on the night of December 29," advocate Bagoria appearing for Sarpotdar argued yesterday.
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