German Bakery blast: Baig's death sentence commuted to life term

Mumbai, March 17  The Bombay High Court on Thursday commuted, to a life term, the death sentence to Mirza Himayat Baig after his conviction for the February 13, 2010 Pune German Bakery blast which killed 17 people, including foreigners, his lawyer said.

"Baig has been totally absolved of all charges including conspiracy, murder, attempt to murder and other serious charges pertaining to the German Bakery blast," said his lawyer Abdul Rehman.

"He has only been convicted under the Explosives Act and given a life sentence. This is the first step only - we plan to appeal this and we are confident he will come clear from this too," he added.

Around 7 p.m. on the day, a powerful blast ripped through the popular eatery near the Osho Ashram in the fashionable Koregaon Park area and much frequented by the young crowd.

Among the 17 killed were an Italian woman, an Iranian and two Sudanese students.

Another 60 patrons were injured in the blast, including 12 foreigners while the eatery subsequently reopened briefly and shut down.

A Pune sessions court had in April 18, 2013 awarded the death penalty to the sole accused, Indian Mujahiddeen operative Baig, against which he had appealed before the Bombay High Court.