Hyderabad twin blasts case: NIA court sentences two convicts to death

A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Hyderabad on Monday sentenced Aneeq Sayeed and Ismail Chaudhary, two accused in the Hyderabad twin blast case, to death, news agency ANI reported.

According to reports, another accused Tariq Anjum has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

Meanwhile, Aneek Sayeed's lawyer Gandam Gurumurthy called the verdict a "weak judgement" and stated that they will appeal in the High Court.

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Both the convicts are identified as Indian Mujahideen operatives and are convicted in the 2007 Hyderabad twin blast that had ripped through a popular eatery and an open-air theatre in Hyderabad on August 25, 2007, killing 44 people and wounding 68.

The duo was found guilty under Section 302 (murder) and various other sections of the Indian Penal Code and relevant provisions of the Arms Act, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the prosecutors said.

Three other accused named in the chargesheets filed by police, including 'Indian Mujahideen' founder Riyaz Bhatkal, his brother Iqbal, and Amir Reza Khan are absconding.