2002-03 Mumbai triple blasts: Be it blast or murder, happy Nachan's been punished'

Sessions court had set Nachan free in Jain’s murder case in 2008

The family members of advocate Lalit Jain, who was allegedly murdered in 2002 by Saquib Nachan, the prime accused of Mulund blast case, were seen celebrating in Bhiwandi yesterday. Though Nachan was acquitted in Jain's murder case by Sessions court and Bombay High Court has still given a verdict, the punishment granted to him by a special POTA court yesterday for the blast case made Jain's family happy.

Shripal Jain, the deceased's son, feeds his uncle sweets to celebrate the verdict

Lalit Jain, who was allegedly killed in a shootout in Bhiwandi, used to take up cases against people involved in illegal cow slaughtering. Post the verdict his family was seen distributing sweets.

Sessions court had set Nachan free in Jain's murder case in 2008. "We were depressed after Nachan was acquitted in Lalit's case but we always believed in the law and were waiting for the verdict. After the court punished them, we felt very happy and distributed sweets among the locals as the person who killed innocent people in a train blast has been punished," said Manoj Jain, brother of Lalit Jain.

Jain's son Shripal had approached the Bombay High Court after the lower court's verdict. "We are happy that the court has served justice in this case if not yet in ours," said Shripal.

Another ‘victim'
Another alleged victim killed by Nachan - Tariq Gujar - was also shot dead by two motorcyclists on July 17, 2002 while he was on his way to Borivli village in Padgha at Bhiwandi taluka.

"We are happy that he has been punished for killing innocent people. We heard that Nachan was helping Muslims and supporting them. Then why did he kill my brother, who was a Muslim? My brother was avoiding meeting or accompanying Nachan as he was involved illegal activities. Islam is a religion of peace and people should follow that rather than killing innocent people," said Bilkis Gujar, Tariq's sister.

Nachan's area
Borivli village near Padgha, from where Nachan hails, had adorned a deserted look yesterday due to the fear of Nachan. "We are happy with the results. After the blast, Borivli village had become a sensitive area as cops had their suspicious eye on everyone from here. Most of the people left the place but due to lack of any option some had to stay back," said a local on condition of anonymity.

A police officer from Padgha police station said, "We are more alert after the verdict and are keeping a watch on the area. The village is silent and we will see that the law and order is maintained."