Mumbai, July 9
A fast-track court set up to hear the cases pertaining to the 1992-93 riots following the demolition of the Babri Masjid today sentenced Shiv Sena leader Madhukar Sarpotdar to one-year imprisonment for his role in the violence.
Sarpotdar was also fined Rs 5,000. Apart from Sarpotdar, two other Shiv Sena leaders, Ashok Shinde and Jaywant Parab, were also found guilty.
The three leaders were found guilty of inciting rioters at Kherwadi in suburban Mumbai on December 27, 1992. The court relied on the evidence submitted by inspector Madhav Khanolkar who testified that the three leaders instigated the gathering under the aegis of the Ganesh Utsav Samiti Mandal. After the three delivered inflammatory speeches, the mob went on the rampage, destroying properties owned by Muslims in the area.
However, Sarpotdar was granted bail in order to allow him to appeal before the higher courts.
Earlier, Sarpotdar was found guilty by the Srikrishna Commission set up to probe the riots. The controversial politician, who was actually nabbed by an army patrol while transporting weapons in his car, went on to become an MP.
