Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 14: Principal Sessions Judge Udhampur, A K Koul today awarded 10 years imprisonment to Mohd Yousuf alias Mithu, son of Abdul Rashid of Basantgarh, Ramnagar, a close associate of Lasker-e-Toiba (LeT) comamnder Qari.
According to the prosecution case, on August 10, 2003 State Police and BSF teams nabbed Mohd Yousaf during the search and cardon operation in village Bhagni and from his possession grenade was recovered.
During investigation, it came to fore that Mohd Yousuf was close associate of Lashker-e-Toiba commander Qari and he was assigned the task of hurling the grenade on police party which he could not do because he was unable to pull the pin of the grenade.
He was found associated with so many militant activities. He was also involved in an attack on Police Station Basantgarh in 1996. He was arrested from Pathankot in 1999 and was jailed for two years. He was in contact with dreaded militants Abdullah and Masood-ul-Azar. After being let off he again indulged in militant activities and was also found involved in an attack at Gulshan Langer Katra.
After hearing Public Prosecutor Navneet Gupta appearing for the State whereas Advocate Ajay Bandral appearing for the accused, Principal Sessions Judge observed, “the evidence on record is sufficient enough to hold Mohd Yousuf alias Mithu guilty of the charge of being in possession of prohibited ammunition. So, he deserves to be convicted under Section 7/25 Arms Act”.
Accordingly, he was convicted for the offence under Section 7/25 Arms Act. However, he was acquitted of the charges under Section 124-A and 307 RPC.
Regarding the quantum of punishment, the Court observed, “the accused/ convict has a long history of criminal activities. He has been found involved in so many militant activities though none of those activities has been proved in this case but keeping in view his criminal background he does not deserve any leniency as the punishment has always to be proportionate to the crime committed”.
With these observations, Court awarded accused/ convict imprisonment for 10 years and a fine of Rs 20,000. In case of default in payment of fine, he will under go a further imprisonment of one year.
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