Mumbai: A sessions court on Monday sentenced Zaheera Sheikh, prime witness in the Best Bakery case, to three months rigorous imprisonment (RI) for giving false evidence.
Judge Abhay Thipsay also imposed a fine of Rs 500 on Zaheera. If the fine is not paid, she will have to undergo 10 days additional jail term, the order said.
Three month’s rigorous imprisonment imposed on Zaheera, would begin after she completes the one-year sentence already imposed on her by the Supreme Court for contempt of court.
Zaheera is currently undergoing the sentence at Byculla Jail in Mumbai. The judge found Zaheera guilty of giving false evidence on 15 counts.
Earlier, the court had sentenced Zaheera's mother Sehrunnisa, and sister Saheera to three months' RI and fined Rs 500 each on similar charges.
However, the court decided to put her brother Nasibullah — who too faced similar charges — on probation considering his young age.
Chequered Past
June 08, 2006: Saheera Sheikh, sister of Zaheera Sheikh was sentenced to three months imprisonment for giving false evidence in the Best Bakery case.
June 7, 2006: A sessions court found brother and sister of Zaheera guilty of giving false evidence.
May 17, 2006: Zaheera and her family members filed a petition in the Bombay High Court challenging adverse remarks passed against them by trial Judge Abhay Thipsay and urged a sessions court to stay the suo motu proceedings initiated against them for perjury.
May 16, 2006: The special court convicted Zaheera’s mother Sehrunnisa, and sentenced her to three-month rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 500 under perjury charges.
February 24, 2006: Thipsay convicted nine persons for Best Bakery killings during 2002 Gujarat riots and acquitted eight accused and also observed that Zaheera had intentionally lied in the retrial. The Judge reached the same conclusion regarding the testimonies of Zaheera's mother Sehrunnisa, sister Sahira and brother Nasibullah.
(With inputs from PTI)
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