A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Bengaluru on Monday convicted Mohammed Shariq, the prime accused in the 2022 Mangaluru pressure cooker blast case, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Indian Penal Code. The court sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 94,000.
Background of the Case
Shariq, who pleaded guilty in December last year, is currently lodged at Bengaluru Central Prison. The incident occurred on November 19, 2022, when an improvised explosive device hidden inside a pressure cooker detonated in an auto rickshaw in the Kankanady area of Mangaluru. The blast injured Shariq, who was a passenger, as well as the auto driver, Purushotham Poojary.
NIA Probe Reveals Intent
According to the NIA, Shariq had intended to plant the bomb at the Kadri Manjunatha temple to incite communal tension. However, the device exploded prematurely due to a critical error in setting the timer. Instead of the intended 90-minute delay, Shariq mistakenly set the timer for just nine minutes, causing the explosion to occur while he was still in the auto rickshaw.
Legal Proceedings and Evidence
Special public prosecutor P Prasanna Kumar informed the Times of India that the prosecution collected substantial evidence against Shariq and examined 45 witnesses during the trial. Realizing that a strong case had been built against him, Shariq pleaded guilty to all charges. The court accepted his plea and delivered the verdict accordingly.
Sentencing and Fine
The court sentenced Shariq to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment under the relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Indian Penal Code. Additionally, a fine of Rs 94,000 was imposed on him. The quantum of punishment reflects the gravity of the offense, which aimed at disrupting public peace and harmony.
