(A file photo of the blasts in Bombay in March 1993)
As calls for pardoning actor Sanjay Dutt in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case divide political parties, 71-year-old Zaibunissa Kazi, one of those convicted, has appealed for pardon from Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan saying she is innocent and too old for a jail term.
"My daughter has told me that Katju
Sahab is requesting you to pardon Sanjay Dutt. Please have a look at my case at least once. Please have mercy on me. My daughter and I have been struggling for 20 years, we have lost courage," she is seen saying in a video recorded by her daughter.
"My daughter informed me that I have to surrender again, but I don't have the courage anymore. Two years ago, I underwent a major kidney surgery owing to which I can't walk properly. My knees and legs ache, I cannot kneel on ground and pray, I sit on the bed to pray. I won't be able to bear the hardships of the jail. Please consider my case. What is my crime? I have done nothing," she said. (
Blog: What's in a name? Ask Zaibunissa Kazi and Manzoor Ahmed)
The illegal weapons that got Sanjay Dutt into trouble with the law also scarred Zaibunissa's life. While the actor was convicted for receiving weapons from the underworld, Zaibunissa's crime was that some weapons from that cache were kept at her house for a few days.
Both Zaibunissa and Sanjay Dutt were charged under TADA or the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act for aiding and abetting a terrorist act. Zaibunissa was given five year rigorous imprisonment under the Act. The TADA charges were later dropped against the actor, but upheld against Zaibunissa.
Zaibunissa's daughter says the family was shocked as they were expecting her acquittal. "I can't imagine my life without her. She's all I have. I don't want anything, just give back my mother," she said. (
Read: 1993 Bombay blasts - same crime, different punishment)
Press Council of India chief Justice Markandey Katju, who had appealed for Sanjay Dutt's pardon, wrote in his blog yesterday that he is seriously considering appealing for a pardon for Zaibunissa too. (
Read)