Author: Express News Service
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: September 1, 2013
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/caught-in-kerala-absconding-93-blasts-convict-brought-to-city/1162864/

An absconding convict in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case, caught in Kerala a few days ago, was on Saturday produced before the special TADA court in Mumbai, which directed the CBI to take him to Arthur Road prisons, from where he will be sent to a district jail for convicts.

Manoj Kumar Bhanwarlal Gupta alias Munna had been on the run since the Supreme Court enhanced his sentence to life imprisonment in March this year.

Gupta, an associate of key conspirator and absconding accused Tiger Memon, was found guilty of accompanying the latter to Raigad district to facilitate the landing of arms and ammunition prior to the serial blasts and also on the return journey to Mumbai to distribute the same to the co-accused.

The trial court had sentenced Gupta to 14 years in prison, which he has already served.However, in March this year, the apex court enhanced Gupta's sentence to life term after which he went missing.

Gupta was apprehended in Kannur district of Kerala when he was on his way to visit his wife.

Gupta, meanwhile, moved an application Saturday before the TADA court seeking medical treatment for his fractured arm and diabetes, which was allowed.