In a first,HC extends convict’s parole to arrange Rs 5 lakh fine

Mansoor had moved the High Court in June for a one month parole which was granted due to his mother’s illness.

After the one month period ended on July 18,he moved the court for extension of parole to arrange for Rs 5,05,000 towards the fine. Following remissions,Mansoor is slated to be released from Aurangabad Central Prison in September if he pays the fine. If not,he will have to undergo additional three years and six months in jail for defaulting on payment.

He has already undergone the sentence for defaulting on payment of fine on the first count.

His lawyer,Aisha Ansari,told the court that Mansoor has already undergone a substantive sentence. She argued that he had tried to arrange for the money but could not do so due to which he is seeking two more weeks to arrange for the money. A Division Bench of Justice Ranjana Desai and Justice Rajesh Ketkar recently allowed the plea in view of the substantive sentence but made it clear that they would not grant any more extensions.

On March 4,1999,alleged Chhota Shakeel gangsters had opened fire near a Shiv Sena shakha on Mori Road,Mahim. Former city mayor and Sena corporator Milind Vaidya was injured in the shootout. Three of his associates were killed and six others were injured. Accused Mohammed Zuber Qasam Sheikh,Fazal Mohammed Sheikh and Azizuddinn Zahiruddin Sheikh,who allegedly opened fire,were awarded death sentence.

The court confirmed the life sentence of another accused Abdul Hasan Mistry while awarding 10 years rigorous imprisonment to Mohammed Farooq Gafoor Chipa Rangari and Mansoor Hasan Haji Pankar.

According to Ansari,Mansoor’s appeal is pending before the Supreme Court also. She also said that two persons who were sentenced to death were subsequently discharged by the HC.