Disappointed by Supreme Court judgement: Owaisi

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said on Wednesday that he was disappointed by the Supreme Court judgement dismissing a petition of 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts convict Yakub Memon that sought stay on his execution on Thursday.

"We are disappointed. We respectfully disagree with it," he told reporters while reacting to the court orders.

The MP from Hyderabad said Justice Kurian Joseph, who on Tuesday supported Memon's plea challenging his death penalty, had raised valid points.

Owaisi said it was a "fact that Memon surrendered and was not arrested" and had cooperated with the investigation agencies to show real perpetrators were Pakistan's ISI and Tiger Memon "but is being sent to gallows". Owaisi also cited the statements of Justice Katju and various other judges who said he does not deserve capital punishment.

Owaisi contended 1993 Mumbai blasts convict Yakub Memon got a death sentence because he did not have any political backing, unlike the killers of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and Punjab chief minister Beant Singh.

"...I still stand by the statement I made, capital punishment is being given because there is no political backing. I corroborate my comment by saying it is for every one to learn how Akali Dal has saved the killer of Beant Singh. How Tamil parties have saved killers of Rajiv Ganhdhi from being sent to gallows," he said.

"I hope and pray peace will prevail... my stand I will take to my grave. Yakub was involved but he did not deserve capital punishment. He got capital punishment because the then Narasimha Rao government cheated him because he did not have political backing," he reiterated.

The MP also said that if Memon is to be hanged, the perpetrators of Babri Mosque demolition, Mumbai and Gujarat riots should also be hanged.

"If capital punishment given by court of law can bring closure to innocent victims of bomb blast, I demand capital punishment should also be given to actual (plotters) in demolition on Babri Masjid," Owaisi said.

He said the person involved in the blasts was being hanged but asked when 900 innocents including people from both the communities killed in the Mumbai riots of 1992 and 1993 will get justice.

"Today we want to ask why BJP government did not seek capital punishment for (2002 Gujarat riot convicts) Maya Kodnani and Babu Bajrangi. These are not questions of Owaisi or Muslims but of every justice loving citizen who believes in the rule of law," he said.

Also noting that Muslim leaders in Mumbai were being asked to ensure peace, he questioned why leaders from other communities were not being asked.

"Yes we have to maintain peace, law and order at all cost, but I am really surprised and shocked that in Mumbai and Maharashtra, police are only calling Muslim leaders and telling them to cooperate. Cooperation has to be given by every section of society," Owaisi added.