Death penalty for 'bomb planner'

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A special court has given the death sentence to one of those accused of masterminding the 1993 serial bombings in the Indian city of Mumbai (Bombay).

Three of Yakub Memon's family members were sentenced to life imprisonment.

Twelve people have now been sentenced to death and 20 to life imprisonment in connection with the blasts that killed 257 people and wounded 713.

The attacks were allegedly organised to avenge the killings of Muslims in riots a few months earlier.

'Black Friday'

The special court said that Yakub Memon, a chartered accountant, was given the death penalty for playing an important role in the bombing conspiracy.

A total of eight members of the Memon family were initially accused of masterminding the bombings and dispersing funds for the attacks.

The eldest brother fled the country, and three other family members were acquitted because of a lack of evidence.

Their father died during the trial.

In total, 100 people have been found guilty of involvement in the "Black Friday" attacks.

They have one month to appeal to a higher court.

More death penalties and sentences of life imprisonment have been awarded in this case than in any other single case in India's judicial history.

The Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, who was found guilty of illegal possession of arms, is due to be sentenced early next week.

The alleged masterminds of the blasts, Dawood Ibrahim and Tiger Memon, have been on the run since 1993.

Indian investigators say they were assisted by Pakistan's intelligence service but Islamabad has denied any link.